ADDS QUOTES FROM CHANCELLOR’S NEWS CONFERENCE
By Oliver Towfigh Nia
BERLIN (AA) - Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday defended a planned deployment of long-range US missiles in Germany, saying it is to prevent a war with Russia.
"It was right that we also defined deterrence options as part of our national security strategy. I also explained this in great detail at the Munich Security Conference. It is intended to ensure that we are not attacked and that no war takes place," Scholz told journalists in Berlin.
“Now it's about ensuring our security through the necessary deterrence so that a war doesn't break out,” he added, while accusing Russia of “massively disregarding arms controls.”
Germany and the US announced on the sidelines of a recent NATO summit that from 2026 onwards, the US wants to again station weapons systems in Germany that reach as far as Russia.
It will reportedly include Tomahawk-type cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles), which can technically also be equipped with nuclear weapons, as well as SM-6 anti-aircraft missiles and newly developed hypersonic weapons.
Meanwhile, Germany announced on Wednesday that it will continue to send weapons to Israel, which has been carrying out intensive airstrikes and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip, killing over 39,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7.
“We have delivered weapons to Israel and we have not made a decision to stop doing so,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a news conference in Berlin.
“We have not decided not to supply weapons. So we will (deliver) and we have (delivered to Israel),” the German leader added.
Germany is the second-largest weapons exporter to Israel in terms of major conventional weapons, accounting for more than 25% of imports between 2019 and 2023.
Berlin has mainly supplied Israel with submarines, warships, vehicle and aircraft engines, and torpedoes, often covering a third of the cost as military aid, according to data from Workers in Palestine.
Germany had already approved €326 million ($352 million) worth of arms exports to Israel before Oct. 7, and continued to grant licenses for military equipment like training ammunition, Berlin-based Forensis reported.
These licenses also include military technology, electronic equipment, warships, special naval equipment, bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, and other explosive devices.
In 2023, Germany made substantial arms exports to Israel, including two Sa’ar 6-class corvettes, 10 DM2A4 Seehecht torpedoes for Dolphin submarines, and numerous diesel engines for various military vehicles, as reported by SIPRI.
The Sa’ar 6 corvettes, partially funded by the German government, became operational during Israel's current offensive in Gaza. These warships have actively participated in offshore strikes and contributed to the Israeli Navy’s blockade of Gaza.
The Eitan Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), powered by German diesel engines, was fast-tracked into operational status in Gaza. Both the Eitan and its infantry fighting vehicle counterpart have been deployed to the front lines, supporting Israeli forces in urban assault operations.
Germany also exported diesel engines for Merkava-4 tanks, which are integral to Israel’s ground invasion. Since last October, these tanks have been used in attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Gaza.
In January, Berlin had reportedly agreed to supply Israel with 10,000 rounds of 120mm tank ammunition from its military stockpiles, following an Israeli request last November.