German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht sits in a Puma preventing tank (Reuters)
Berlin:
The German authorities stated Monday it is going to pause purchases of latest Puma tanks after a mass breakdown throughout workouts, lamenting a “harsh setback” as Berlin seeks to overtake its army.
The armoured infantry automobiles — which have been presupposed to type a part of Germany’s contribution to a NATO power — suffered issues that left all 18 of these within the workouts unfit for operations.
The breakdowns shone one other harsh highlight on Germany’s makes an attempt to modernise its ageing army following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The most recent failures of the Puma tanks are a harsh setback,” stated Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht in a press release.
She ordered a probe into what went mistaken, and stated till the automobiles show “steady” there will not be any new orders.
“Our troops should be capable to depend on weapons methods which are sturdy and steady in fight,” Lambrecht added.
The Pumas have been presupposed to be prepared to be used in a NATO job power for fast deployments from January.
Lambrecht stated that Germany would nonetheless fulfil its obligations in the direction of the alliance, and as an alternative of the Pumas would use ageing Marder tanks.
A defence ministry spokesman stated work was being carried out at full pace on “harm evaluation”, including there had been an “unusually excessive failure fee” with the tanks.
The army has 350 Puma tanks, however solely 42 had been arrange for use with the NATO power.
Berlin earlier this 12 months introduced plans to speculate 100 billion euros ($106 billion) to modernise its armed forces, casting apart a post-war reluctance to spend large on its army to face the menace from Russia.
Additionally it is shopping for dozens of US-made F-35 fighter jets, however that mission has run into issues, with the defence ministry elevating considerations about delays and extra prices.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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