Latest news with #GermanAirForce
See - Sada Elbalad
5 days ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Germany, Ukraine reach deal for long-range weapons production
Basant Ahmed Germany has agreed a new €5 billion aid package for Ukraine and joint production of long-range weapons during Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Berlin. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Berlin would seek to help Kyiv jointly develop new long-range weapons systems that can strike deeper inside Russia as Germany agreed on a new €5 billion aid package. Heralding the beginning of a "new form of military industrial cooperation between our two countries," Merz said that Germany and Ukraine would seek to "enable joint production" of weapons. "This will be a cooperation on an industrial level, which can take place both in Ukraine and here in Germany," Merz said. Following Merz's statement, the defence ministers of Ukraine and Germany signed a memorandum that also includes direct German investment in Ukraine's defence industry and a broader agreement between Ukraine and German arms manufacturers. "This is the beginning of a new form of military-industrial cooperation between our countries, which has significant potential," Merz said at a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. The German Defence Ministry said a "significant" number of these systems are expected to be manufactured by the end of 2025, with the first batch ready for deployment in the coming weeks. Berlin also reiterated its commitment to supply Ukraine with more weapons and ammunitions, including air defence and artillery. Merz declined to say whether Germany will supply its advanced Taurus long-range cruise missile to Ukraine, long a request by Kyiv and a step that Berlin has so far resisted. Merz only said that he is not willing to comment on the issue and the sides "want to talk about production and we will not publicly discuss details." Visiting Kyiv at the beginning of May, Merz said that all future arms supply talks with Ukraine would be kept confidential. On Monday, Merz said that Ukraine's western allies are no longer imposing restrictions on the use of long-range weapons for Kyiv to use against Russian military targets. Later, he sought to temper those comments by elaborating that the decision to lift restrictions had been made "months ago." "In this respect, yesterday in Berlin, I described something that has been happening for months: namely, that Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives, even beyond its own borders, against military targets on Russian territory," Merz clarified. Taurus missiles are similar in range and payload to the Scalp/Storm Shadow missiles which are supplied to Ukraine by France and the UK. But the Taurus differs in that it can penetrate reinforced concrete walls and can be programmed to explode after hitting a target, which is why they are used against what the German Air Force refers to as "high-value targets." read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Germany agrees €5bn in aid to Ukraine and joint production of long-range weapons
BERLIN — Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Berlin would seek to help Kyiv jointly develop new long-range weapons that can strike deeper inside Russia as Germany agreed on a new €5 billion aid package. Heralding the beginning of a "new form of military industrial cooperation between our two countries," Merz said that Germany and Ukraine would seek to "enable joint production" of weapons. "This will be a cooperation on an industrial level, which can take place both in Ukraine and here in Germany," Merz said. Following Merz's statement, the defense ministers of Ukraine and Germany signed a memorandum which also includes direct German investment in Ukraine's defense industry and a broader agreement between Ukraine and German arms manufacturers. "This is the beginning of a new form of military-industrial cooperation between our countries, which has significant potential," Merz said at a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. The German Defense Ministry said a "significant" number of these systems are expected to be manufactured by the end of 2025, with the first batch ready for deployment in the coming also reiterated its commitment to supply Ukraine with more weapons and ammunition, including air defense and declined to say whether Germany will supply its advanced Taurus long-range cruise missile to Ukraine, long a request by Kyiv and a step that Berlin has so far only said that he is not willing to comment on the issue and the sides "want to talk about production and we will not publicly discuss details."Visiting Kyiv at the beginning of May, Merz said that all future arms supply talks with Ukraine would be kept Monday, Merz said that Ukraine's western allies are no longer imposing restrictions on the use of long-range weapons for Kyiv to use against Russian military he sought to temper those comments by elaborating that the decision to lift restrictions had been made "months ago.""In this respect, yesterday in Berlin, I described something that has been happening for months: namely, that Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives, even beyond its own borders, against military targets on Russian territory," Merz missiles are similar in range and payload to the Scalp/Storm Shadow missiles which are supplied to Ukraine by France and the the Taurus differs in that it can penetrate reinforced concrete walls and can be programmed to explode after hitting a target, which is why they are used against what the German Air Force refers to as "high-value targets." — Euronews
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fighter pilot 'Hawk' takes charge of German Air Force
A 56-year-old fighter pilot, Lieutenant General Holger Neumann, has been appointed as the new head of the German Air Force. Neumann was inaugurated on Tuesday at a roll call ceremony at an airbase in Wunstorf, in the state of Lower Saxony. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that Neumann had learned the job from the bottom up and was held in high regard by the troops. "The tasks remain challenging or are becoming even more challenging," Pistorius said, citing the war in Europe and the goal of securing NATO's eastern flank close to Russia. The inspector general of the German military, Carsten Breuer, said that the air force had come together under its outgoing chief, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz. Gerhartz had made the air force "fit for war," Breuer said. He called Neumann a top general and a "Eurofighter pilot with a heart and soul." After seven years as the leader of the air force, Gerhartz will become commander of the NATO headquarters in Brunssum in the Netherlands. Neumann completed his basic military service with the paratroopers in 1988 and 1989. Most recently, he was commander of the Tactical Air Force Squadrons, air transport units and training facilities in the Air Force Troop Command. Neumann - whose pilot's name is Hawk - has completed 2,800 flying hours on various types of aircraft such as the Tornado and Eurofighter. The new inspector general of the Luftwaffe will help oversee the deployment of the Arrow 3 air defence system. The first parts of the system will be set up in the coming year. The Israeli system is designed to destroy incoming missiles at altitudes exceeding 100 kilometres.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Major General Holger Neumann to head German Air Force
Major General Holger Neumann is to become the new head of the German Air Force, dpa learnt on Friday. Neumann, a commander of the air force's flying units since September 2024, succeeds Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz. Gerhartz is set to become the head of NATO's Allied Joint Forces Command in the Dutch town of Brunssum - one of two operational headquarters for the alliance in Europe. The air force's new inspector is due to take command next week and will have important tasks ahead. For example, the first parts of the Arrow 3 air defence system are to be ready for deployment this year. Neumann was previously responsible for the German Air Force's tactical squadrons, air transport units and training facilities.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany's new top diplomat voices support and concern in Israel visit
Germany's new foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, renewed his country's dedication to Israeli security in his first diplomatic visit since taking office, but also expressed his doubt over the country's increasing attacks on besieged Gaza. At a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Jerusalem, Wadephul urged the Israeli government to re-engage in negotiations on a ceasefire deal with the Palestinian Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip. In view of the renewed intensification of Israel's military action since March, Wadephul said: "I am not sure whether all of Israel's strategic goals can be achieved in this way, whether this will serve Israel's security in the long term." Addressing Saar, Wadephul said: "That is why we are appealing for a return to serious negotiations on a ceasefire. A ceasefire that also paves the way for permanent supplies for the people in Gaza." The meeting comes as Israel faces accusations of genocide in Gaza and starving Palestinians by blocking humanitarian supplies into the besieged area, where some 2 million people live. Wadephul added noted that no aid has been arriving in Gaza for 70 days and the humanitarian situation was worsening every day. Meeting with Netanyahu Wadephul also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since taking office. During a meeting with other representatives of both countries in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said that Israel and Germany had "excellent relations" and that they wanted to continue these. "We have many common interests, many common values and many common challenges," said Netanyahu. Wadephul thanked Netanyahu for the reception and both shook hands with a friendly smile in front of media. Wadephul's relationship to Netanyahu is expected to be less strained than that of his predecessor, Annalena Baerbock, who had clashed with Israel over its blockade of aid to Gaza. The visit to Israel takes place against the backdrop of celebrations marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel. Following his arrival in the country on Saturday, Wadephul met with relatives of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. According to the latest information from Netanyahu, 21 hostages are still alive in the Gaza Strip. Early on Sunday, he was given a demonstration of the Israeli Arrow 3 air defence system, which Germany is also set to deploy. The system can destroy approaching missiles at altitudes beyond 100 kilometres. The German Air Force is due to achieve operational readiness this year with the system, which is being deployed at three sites in Germany. Conditions for a peace solution made clear Wadephul clearly articulated the position of Germany's new government, emphasizing its commitment to a peaceful resolution between Israel and the Palestinians. He stressed that the reconstruction of Gaza must be tied to a political solution - one that excludes Hamas and ensures the group can no longer threaten Israel. In this context, Wadephul described the Arab reconstruction plan, which envisions a strong role for the Palestinian Authority (PA), as a promising foundation. At the same time, he underscored that the Gaza Strip must remain an integral part of the Palestinian territories, noting that any Israeli military presence in Gaza should be temporary, a view he said was widely shared. These remarks come amid concerns that Israel may seek a permanent occupation of Gaza or the displacement of its Palestinian population. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently threatened to destroy the Gaza Strip and expel its inhabitants. Two-state solution: 'Best chance for peace' Wadephul spoke out in favour of a two-state solution as the "best chance for a life in peace, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike." He warned that this should not be obstructed "either by pushing ahead with settlement construction in violation of international law or by prematurely recognising a Palestinian state." The two-state solution refers to an independent Palestinian state that exists peacefully side by side with Israel. Both Netanyahu and Hamas reject this solution. Wadephul later met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa in Ramallah in the West Bank, announcing Germany would provide an additional €30 million ($33.8 million) in humanitarian aid for the Palestinian civilian population enduring bombardment and an aid blockade. This brings German aid to a total of €333 million ($375 million) since October, according to official figures.
