Germany ready for a leading military role in Europe, Chancellor Scholz says

BERLIN (AA) - Germany is ready for a leading military role to ensure Europe’s security, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Friday.

Delivering a speech at a military conference in Berlin, Scholz said Russia’s attack on Ukraine has been a turning point in history, caused a paradigm shift in security affairs, and made it necessary for Germany to boost its military.

He pointed out that Germany is the EU’s most populous country and biggest economy, and argued that German armed forces (Bundeswehr) should become the “best equipped” military in Europe.

“Germany is ready to take a leading role, to assume responsibility for the security of our continent,” he said, and also tried to assure neighboring countries about Berlin’s plans.

“This goal should not be seen as a threat by our European friends and partners, on the contrary it’s an assurance,” he stressed.

Chancellor Scholz’s left-liberal coalition government has decided to massively increase defense spending, and already approved a €100 billion ($100 billion) special fund for the modernization of the country’s armed forces.

According to the government’s plan, the lion’s share of the fund will go to the Air Force and will be used for new investments and purchases, including US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets, Chinook transport helicopters and Israeli Heron drones.