Only eight of the country's 109 Eurofighters are fully operational Photo: Alamy
Posted on 08/27/2014 11:23:21 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
A report in Spiegel magazine says German air force is weaker than previously thought and a funding crisis means scores of aircraft are not operational
The German air force is facing such a severe funding shortage that many of its aircraft are unable to fly, mechanics are forced to cannibalise parts from existing planes and only eight of the country's 109 Eurofighters are fully operational, according to a report in Spiegel magazine.
German defence sources have rubbished the article, saying it is inaccurate and does not match up to official air force logs.
But the claim that Germany's air force is not as strong as previously thought will cause concern among its Nato allies at a time of growing worldwide instability. Germany has the fourth largest air force in Europe, yet the Spiegel report suggests it is far weaker in reality than it is on paper.
Many aircraft are badly in need of repair, and spare parts are in such short supply that mechanics have resorted to taking them from existing planes, said the magazine.
The report claims the German government is now facing embarrassment because ministers promised to send six Eurofighters to the Baltic states next week despite the alleged shortfalls.
It says as few as seven of Germany's 67 CH-53 transport helicopters are fully operational, including those currently deployed in Afghanistan, and only five of its 33 NH-80 helicopters.
Of the 56 C-160 aircraft which carry relief supplies to northern Iraq, only 21 are operational, it claims.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Only eight of the country's 109 Eurofighters are fully operational Photo: Alamy
But they have really great healthcare.
Probably explains why Angela is calling Putin every 10 minutes. It’s her only working weapon.
Back in the early 70s I was hitchhiking through the Saarland when a pair of German F-104s blew by at treetop level and jus barely subsonic. Didn’t hear them until they were there, talk about shock and aw.
I was in a little Honda Accord and it vibrated crazy as they went overhead. Although tired, I wasn't in any danger of falling asleep at the wheel for a good while after that.
One other thing, Until that night I never knew you could smell low level B-52s go by but there was a heavy scent in the air just about like the exhaust from my diesel truck.
Wonder if this problem is NATO wide?
How the mighty has fallen—Europe better get its act together—America isn’t going to bail them out anymore—at least with Obama in the Oval Office.
Official numbers often do not reflect reality. Before I retired equipment was considered operational if it could be repaired in twenty four hours regardless of parts availably. I was the operations sergeant. I received reports from the maintenance platoon showing we were 100% operational, I send down an operations order and find out we couldn’t do it. I found out about the 24 hour clause. After talking with the maintenance officer I started receiving two reports, one official and by the book. The other showing reality. I mentioned this to our battalion commander and he started calling for “roll outs”, every piece of rolling stock would go to the beach.
Our maintenance officer found a solution to our parts problem. Our equipment was old and if we couldn’t get a part in a timely manner (many were on back order) we’d cannibalize from the museum.
Reminds me of the 70s under carter, almost had to sleep on my bird to keep parts from being cannibalized due to shortage (CH53)
Ditto. USAF 1977-81, out of a base of over 100 F-111As, on any given day maybe 20 were flyable. Several were known as hanger queen k-ball aircraft.
I remember the Lakenheath Elephant Walk for the F-111 in 1981. I think it was less than half could participate.
It was Merkel and her female staff that sucked all money out of the German defense. In the meantime the biggest discussion is the creation of childcare in the Bundeswehr (armed Forces), since the secretary of defense, Ursula von der Leyen was once the secretary for womens concerns. After the end of the military draft it is practically impossible for the Bundeswehr to get intelligent personal, since the employment opportunities in Germany are good. Therefore only idiots join the Army.
The solution would be simple: Germany has to spend 3 times the money that is spending in the moment to heal the complete breakdown. After a decade you might have something that you can call “military forces” again.
In Germany we have simply the wrong people in power. Although most Freepers like Merkel she is an old socialist from the former GDR. She destroyed much of the old Bundesrepublik. We should get rid of her.
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