there are still restrictions on Germany, it may not have: strategic bombers, NBC-weapons, carriers or nuclear subs.
What about today... they, supposedly have the most silent, deadly, stealth sub in the world today... and we (USA) allowed them to carry on the research )although they shared.. maybe) the technology with us (USA)... It is supposed to be able to carry out ALL possible operations (air, land, water) defense/offense operations within 60 feet under the water (stealth/undetected).... :O Al Gore would love this >.< no heat; all hydrogen engine that produces no sound, no heat (for infrared)... maybe I am being too pessimistic... :P
MJ
Sure, Germany made the best out of the restrictions. Formally, Germany is independant and sovereign. But in fact, the country is still bound to the so-called “Treaty on the final settlement with respect to Germany” (09/12/1990), which officially ended the Soviet occupation in the former GDR, and the (formal) occupation of West-Germany by France, Britain and America. This treaty is s substitute for a peace treaty, which was never signed or ratified between the conflict parties of World War II. Regulations of this treaty say that the united Germany may be a member of NATO (which was a conflict with the Soviet Union, back then), or that Germany must not have NBC-weapons. I guess, that IF there was a strong political movement in Germany calling for own nuclear weapons, the government would build up nukes. But there´s no indication for that, and also no need. The US will defend its NATO parners with all its might against those who attack them.