Alex Christoforou
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
…German troops using their own vehicles because of a shortage of infantry tanks as many were in disrepair.
French President Emmanuel Macron has routinely boasted about the creation of a powerful EU Army, but Macron’s ‘Napoleonic’ ambitions may have run into a major issue with the German military falling apart.
The latest report exposes how a major war exercise, which started last Thursday across Europe, had German troops using their own vehicles because of a shortage of infantry tanks as many were in disrepair.
The shortage of infantry vehicles is so bad that some soldiers are using their own cars, RT News said, citing local reports.
The exercise is one of the most massive drills in two decades, started last Thursday with thousands of German troops, along with other soldiers from ten different nations.
RT News said only about one-fifth of Puma infantry fighting vehicles were operational in mid-2019, which is one of the top reasons why combat troops had to use non-military vehicles for transportation during drills.
In 2018, the German military had 71 Pumas, only 27 were combat-ready, and 44 were in repair.
The military has struggled with keeping its forces combat-ready for years, with vehicle and troop shortages.
We’ve noted before that tanks breakdown on the regular, planes can’t fly, and vessels aren’t seaworthy; the German military is a disaster.
In 2017, the German Navy had many of its submarines in repair, basically had its entire fleet out of service, noted RT News.
It has also been reported that at least half of German recruits are unfit for combat.
President Trump has slammed Germany and other NATO leaders to increase their defense spending targets from 2 to 4%. He’s demanded that European countries must pay their fair or purchase weapons from US defense companies.
Given all these problems, perhaps pooling their resources with other nations (like France) in the form of an EU-wide army would make sense.
Germany will have a tough decision to either increase funding for its military or pay its fair share as a NATO member.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/germany-military-begins-war-drill-ill-prepared-troops
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
European nations should leave NATO pronto and refuse to be dictacted from overseas what to do or not to do … Grow up, Europe. You are not a kindergarden.
‘Grow up, Europe. You are not a kindergarden.’ Who is that aimed at ?
Can you not read? Olivia said; “Grow up, Europe”. Are all Poms so stupid?
I don’t understand where the problem is after all Trump only wants them to dish out a few billion dollars for more weapons that really don’t work.Its time to ditch NATO as that’s wore out its use and reason,none of the countries in the NATO block fear Russia except for the usaual suspects the Baltic states which have always been a problem.!!!~
I think Germany and the UK each have about 30 operational tanks.
It doesn’t matter when guided missile weaponry is so prevelant these days & tanks make delicious targets, shirley ?