International Air Show - Scholz advocates for enhanced collaboration on defense initiatives.
Kicking off the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA), Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged ongoing support for the arms industry to expand their production capabilities. Speaking on the exhibition grounds at the Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, Scholz emphasized how crucial a robust European and German defense industry is in constantly producing all vital types of weapons and ammunition.
He declared the order of an additional 20 Eurofighter combat aircraft. Security and defense policy experts, however, emphasize the necessity of equipping the Bundeswehr beyond 2025. The 100 billion euro Bundeswehr Special Fund falls short of meeting the requirement.
The unions called for a further 6.5 billion euros
According to the unions, "the 'scissors' between current medium-term financial planning and the actual funds needed by the Bundeswehr will already open up in 2025." They pointed to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' (SPD) appeal for an additional 6.5 billion euros to the regular defense budget for the upcoming year. The unions demanded allocation of the funds to the Bundeswehr.
Scholz: Germany has overlooked the arms industry in the past
Scholz stated at the opening, "Politics in Germany has made too big a detour around the arms industry in the past." This is over. The unprovoked Russian attack on Ukraine has presented Germany with a new security policy reality." Therefore, certain weapons systems will also be acquired from partners who already possess marketable products. "We can't wait for everything. Speed is essential, but it's just one aspect," said Scholz. "On the other hand, I'm aggressively pushing for the preservation and expansion of production capacities." Scholz added that Germany would be ordering an extra 20 Eurofighters along with the existing 38 aircraft.
Scholz: Germany needs to take a leading position
Closer cooperation amongst European partners is necessary. "We can't afford in Europe to have too many competing weapons systems than, for example, the USA," said the Chancellor on this matter. He recommended fewer systems, allowing each industry's strengths to be showcased. Scholz added, "This will result in the necessary interoperability between the armed forces of Europe and more significant quantities." He wants German industry to lead the way.
The industry is responding to the geopolitical challenges with innovations, said Michael Schöllhorn, President of the German Aerospace Industries Association, at the exhibition's opening. "The civil aviation industry is demonstrating advances in sustainability, which will also serve as a competitive edge." The military aviation industry showcases systems of the future. And space travel showcases an autonomous access to the use of space.
Europe's technological leadership in these areas is being contested. "The industry is under pressure," Schöllhorn continued. "To survive, we need the correct political framework. We also need predictability in defense budgets and ultimately orders. If we don't have that, the mid-sized companies and suppliers will break away from us today, whose capabilities will be critical."
At the European Air and Space Show, roughly 600 exhibitors from 30 countries will be present from Wednesday through Sunday. Until Friday, the exhibition is exclusively for the professional public, with interested parties allowed to visit on Saturday and Sunday. The emphasis is on the sustainable transformation of civil aviation and defense and security issues.
The show takes place every two years. Since April, it has been confirmed that its location will remain in Schönefeld near Berlin at least until 2030. The states of Berlin and Brandenburg plan to participate in the ILA exhibitions of 2026, 2028, and 2030 with a combined 16.5 million euros in funding.
