Articles By: German Radio
Drones for the German Military Stir Controversy
The German government wants to buy unmanned drones from the United States, or Israel, but the opposition does not see a necessity for these aircraft, which can be used as bomb-toting weapons, or for reconnaissance. Minister of Defense Thomas de Maizière, of Germany’s Christian Democratic Party (CDU), is quite clear about why the German Armed [...]
German Firm Arms Qatar with Tanks
German arms manufacturer Kraus-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has just closed a billion dollar deal with Qatar that was five years in the making. On Thursday (18.04.2013), the Munich-based company announced that it signed a contract to deliver 62 Leopard 2 tanks and 24 self-propelled howitzers to the emirate. The price for the arms: roughly 1.9 billion [...]
NATO Under Pressure As Allies Cut Defense Costs
As defense budgets are slashed in dire financial times, governments increasingly rely on alliances and cooperation with their partners. Instead of going solo, militaries pool resources to increase efficiency. The financial crisis has put pressure on governments all over the world to drastically cut down expenses. What started five years ago now has started to [...]
Game of Drones
When we think of drones we think of flying killing machines in Pakistan. But as the US tries to write rules for the technology, people are realizing that very different kinds of drones could change the way we live. Probably the best illustration of the vivid fears and awesome powers associated with drones was delivered [...]
The New Arms Race In Asia
Two recent studies have shown that, essentially, an arms race is in full swing in Asia – cause for serious concern, considering the number of simmering conflicts in the region. The national interests of Asian countries are growing along with their economic clout and affluence, prompting governments in the region to protect their spheres of [...]
China Defends Military Expansion
China will increase its defense budget by 10 percent this year. The country’s growing military spending is a trend that has many of its neighbors worried. Beijing sees the increase as natural. China has planned a defense budget for the year 2013 that will total around 90 billion euros. That is an increase of 10.7 [...]
NATO Mulls Funding Afghan Troops Through 2018
NATO has said it is strongly considering a proposal to extend funding for a security force of Afghan troops through 2018. The proposal comes amid speculation that the US will reduce support for post-2014 operations. NATO is considering plans to continue supporting about 350,000 Afghan troops in the country until 2018, its Secretary General Anders [...]
UN Launches Investigation Into Drone Killings
The United Nations is launching a special inquiry into drone strikes and targeted civilian killings. The investigation’s main objective is to examine evidence that the strikes cause disproportionate civilian casualties. The United Nations’ special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, Ben Emmerson, said there was a need for “accountability” when strikes went wrong. Emmerson, a [...]
NATO Sets Up Missile Defense Shield In Turkey
The Patriot missile defense system is meant to protect Turkey, in case neighboring Syria launches an attack. But the area is too big for the existing missile defense shield – not all cities are covered. At the beginning of February 2013, German, Dutch and US patriot missiles are expected to be set up in southeastern [...]


