Norway's crown prince thanks Germany for its commitment
Norway's Crown Prince Haakon has emphasized Germany's role in Europe's security. Ahead of a visit to the tank manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Haakon said on Tuesday in Munich: "German friends, thank you for your commitment to ensuring European security and for your steadfast leadership in difficult times." In view of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the two countries are strengthening their defense cooperation as NATO partners, Haakon said at a defense policy forum in Munich.
Norway is handing over eight older Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and has ordered 54 new Leopard 2 tanks from Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. Germany and Norway together have awarded the shipyard Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in Kiel the contract to build six HDW Class 212 CD submarines. Crown Prince Haakon also emphasized the joint deployment of German and Norwegian soldiers on missions in Lithuania, Afghanistan and Kosovo and the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Germany.
State Secretary for Defense Thomas Hitschler (SPD) pointed out with concern that young Ukrainians had come to Germany for training at the beginning of the war, but that men over 50 years old were now coming. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), Chair of the Defence Committee in the Bundestag, criticized the fact that the German government did not want to give Ukraine the Taurus cruise missile: "We have to deliver!" The German people will also understand that defense spending must be permanently increased in order to live in security: "Not everyone is stupid in this country." Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said that Norway is increasing its defense spending because the security situation has changed.
Norway's Defense Ministry is increasing its budget due to changing security circumstances. The Defense industry, specifically Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, is playing a significant role in this enhancement, as Norway is procuring 54 new Leopard 2 tanks from them.
Source: www.dpa.com
