New step to "German Europe"

38
Recently, former German Foreign Minister Yoshka Fischer accused Angela Merkel of transforming "European Germany" into "German Europe." Fisher often criticizes the Bundeskanzlerin. This time, Merkel got from a retired politician for the hard pressure of Greece, whose debt crisis the German government decided to use solely in German interests. And here is a new example of such a policy - the German tank builder KMW absorbs the French company Nexter.



The second attempt

Strictly speaking, the signed agreement deals with the merger of companies and their merger. This event took place last Wednesday in Paris. In addition to company executives, the signing ceremony was attended by French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and German Deputy Minister of Defense Marcus Grubel. Servile observers hastened to name the new concern “tank Airbus ”, hinting at a successful European aircraft construction project.

In fact, the combined company of tank builders will have over six thousand employees, its turnover will be about two billion euros. However, before the Airbus with its fifty-thousand-strong team and sales revenue for 40 billion euros, the new group clearly does not hold out. But the main thing is not even that. Airbus is owned by the European Aerospace and Defense Concern (EADS). This is a public company. Its shares are traded on European exchanges. The company’s assets include French, German, Spanish, British, and even Russian (state Vnesheconombank - 5,02%) capital. The production itself is located in several countries, which makes the project truly European.

The tank builders have a different layout. French Nexter is a pure state enterprise. It produces military ammunition and weapon. Among other things - Leclerc tanks and infantry fighting vehicles VBCI. The German concern Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) owns the Bode family and the industrial concern Siemens AG. He does a lot of things - he designs, develops and produces military equipment, in particular, tracked and wheeled armored vehicles. The most famous among them are Puma infantry fighting vehicles, PzH 2000 self-propelled artillery mounts and, of course, Leopard tanks.

Both companies are strictly national. Moreover, originally it was about the unification of KMW with another German concern Rheinmetall - one of the largest manufacturers of military equipment and weapons in Europe. Then the choice fell on the French. German tank builders have a long-standing relationship with them. In the distant seventies of the last century there was even a joint Franco-German program for the development of a unified tank based on the Leopard. In the 1979 year, at the initiative of the French, it was turned off. They say they attended to Paris, which will remain without their own development.

The French “Leclerc” made by the mid-eighties. In it, the design motifs of the Leopard were noticeably visible, except that the power plant was taken Finnish - with similar German characteristics. Further modifications brought the French tank closer to the German one, but Leclerc could not stand the competition in the arms market.

In addition to its own armed forces, the United Arab Emirates military bought a batch of French tanks, which provided financial assistance in the development and production of Leclerc. Here, perhaps, that's all.

Bribes for Leopard

Leopard has a different story. He embarked on seventeen countries of the world. It affected not only the possibilities of the German tank, but also German industrialists. Unlike the stingy French, the Germans did not disdain even bribes while promoting their products.

In the winter of last year, for example, a scandal broke out. Greek media published the full transcript of the interrogation of local entrepreneur Dimitris Papachrist. He called the prosecutor's office the names of German businessmen who bribed Greek officials or were aware of corruption schemes for the supply of weapons.

According to Papahrist, he “gave a bribe in the amount of 750 thousand euros to the former deputy head of the armaments department of the Greek Defense Ministry of Greece, Antonis Kantas. In exchange for this amount, he should not have interfered with the contract for the supply of the Greek army 24 systems PzH 2000. ” As Der Spiegel magazine later wrote, the Munich prosecutor’s office began a preliminary investigation into possible corruption when KMW sold heavy armored vehicles to Athens. This was also the result of Kantas’s recognition of accepting a bribe when he bought 170 Leopard 2 tanks.

The Munich prosecutor's office was not particularly in a hurry. She carried out actual investigative actions (the seizure of documents at KMW headquarters) only in the late fall. That thing is over. Scandal slowly hushed.

Be that as it may, the French with the production of "Leclerc" exhausted in 2010 year. The Germans continue to issue "Leopard" for specific contracts in small batches. Until now, KMW competed fiercely with Nexter. So, in April 2013, the German concern defeated the French by winning the contract for the supply of Leopard-62 tanks to QNUMX.

The crisis in Ukraine spurred demand for Krauss-Maffei Wegmann tanks. Reporting agency Reuters refers to the statement of the head of KMW Frank Haun. “The reason was the guaranteed Ukrainian crisis,” the agency quotes the words of a German industrialist. “More applications for supplies came from Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.” And although Juan refused to disclose details related to the new orders of the concern, it became known that demand increased mainly for the main battle tank Leopard-2.

Tank for all of Europe

Why did KMW decide to merge with Nexter? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the Russian Armata, which was released for the festive parade, encouraged not only the design ideas of European tank builders, but also the ambitions of politicians and industrialists. Until now, attempts by Europeans to develop a joint tank and to begin its production have failed. Now Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has taken the lead. This, in particular, confirms the news agency DPA. It calls the goal of the unification: the standardization of European weapons.

Secondly, in the current situation, KMW has the sense to eliminate its main rival on the continent. Especially since Nexter is not doing well. However, the French are able to delay the forces and funds to create a new generation of combat vehicles. Therefore, instead of combining the German concerns, the Franco-German version of the merger appeared. It will eliminate the competition of new design developments.

Will the French win from this? At least, it was announced that the merger of concerns would not lead to job cuts, and this is already a plus for the crisis French economy. However, the main prize of the agreement will go to the German Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

On the eve of the deal, German politicians became concerned with the "excessive influence of the French side in the new enterprise." Arnold Rainer, the authorized representative of the SPD in the Bundestag on defense issues, spoke directly about this.

In the Ministry of Economics of Germany, the doubters calmed down. They stressed that "an alliance with foreign partners does not relieve German manufacturers of their obligation to adhere to strict standards in force in the German defense industry." In other words, the new concern will operate according to the German rules, and the talk that the merger of companies "will allow them to expand the range and strengthen their positions in regional markets" is nothing more than a figure of speech designed for the French. A tank for Europe will be created under the leadership of the Germans and on German conditions, which was confirmed in the German economic department.

All of this organically fits into the current Chancellor’s policies, which Yoshka Fisher defined as a course towards “German Europe”. Now EU officials are actively promoting the idea of ​​creating a united army on the continent in return for NATO. It will not happen tomorrow, but it is necessary to prepare. So the Germans were quick to take over the development and production of the main battle tank, rightly counting on the dependence of the new army on those who would equip and arm it. That is from Germany.
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  1. +23
    3 August 2015 06: 23
    The other day, former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer accused Angela Merkel of transforming "European Germany" into "German Europe." Fisher often criticizes the Bundescan Chancellor. This time, Merkel inherited from a retired politician for the hard pressure of Greece, the debt crisis of which the German government decided to use exclusively in German interests.
    What Hitler could not do with the help of the Wehrmacht, then Merkel was able to do with the help of European officials and the euro - crushed the whole of Europe under him.
    1. +15
      3 August 2015 06: 47
      + BilliBoms09 Alas, not everything is so simple! Not a small (if not the main!) Contribution to the transformation of European Germany into German (read American) Europe was made due to the 70-year occupation of Europe by the US Army. The liquidation of the Warsaw Pact allowed to finish what Hitler had begun in 1933, simply in more humane ways. At first sight.
      1. +38
        3 August 2015 07: 24
        Not a small (if not the main!) Contribution to the transformation of European Germany into German (read American) Europe was made due to the 70-year occupation of Europe by the US Army
        So I do not mind. My friend lives in Miesenbach, there is located next to the most famous US military base in Europe - Ramstein, and so he (a friend) witnessed the conversation, in a bar, between an American from the base and a local German:
        - We saved you from the Russian invaders. This is an American.
        -Russian have been at home for 20 years, but here you are, something far from Texas. This is already German.
        Do not find symptoms on the face?
        1. +4
          3 August 2015 14: 46
          Quote: BilliBoms09
          -Russian have been at home for 20 years, but here you are, something far from Texas. This is already German.
          Do not find symptoms on the face?

          The Germans have always been freedom-loving. And they don’t like being a vassal of the SGA. They started World War II with attempts to return the lost after the first world colonies, and then they got a taste.
      2. 0
        3 August 2015 14: 47
        In this situation, it turns out, who used to get up, that and slippers!)
    2. BMW
      +4
      3 August 2015 07: 26
      Quote: BilliBoms09
      Merkel was able to make with the help of European officials and the euro - crushed the whole of Europe under him.


      Ek, you grabbed.
      Firstly, it is an ordinary capitalist process, the consolidation of capital and the elimination of competitor. This happened in the 70s, in the diesel industry, when MAN bought Burmeister and Vine.
      Secondly, it is the receipt of economic and political dividends for Germany, and additional levers of pressure on the EU and France.
      And only thirdly, in the future to get a trump card for liberation from American influence.
      1. +2
        3 August 2015 07: 47

        Ek, you grabbed.
        Firstly, it is an ordinary capitalist process, the consolidation of capital and the elimination of competitor. This happened in the 70s, in the diesel industry, when MAN bought Burmeister and Vine.
        Secondly, it is the receipt of economic and political dividends for Germany, and additional levers of pressure on the EU and France.
        And only thirdly, in the future to get a trump card for liberation from American influence.
        And what you found in my post that contradicts yours. Unless there was a single currency and supranational euro bureaucracy, Germany could so dictate its terms to all of Europe.
        1. BMW
          0
          3 August 2015 10: 00
          Quote: BilliBoms09
          And what you found in my post that contradicts yours.


          Quote: BilliBoms09
          crushed the whole of Europe.


          Far from crushing, this is still very far away. But the fact that Germany is gaining weight and trying to dictate the terms of the EU, yes. The latest example is Greece. Here, only the United States put their hand, without their support from Merkel this could not have rolled. Germany is not a political dominant in Europe. There is a stronger and more independent player in Britain.
          1. +1
            3 August 2015 10: 22
            There is a stronger and more independent player in Britain.
            In what, besides nuclear weapons, Britain is stronger and more independent than Germany: economy Germany GDP 6 - UK GDP 9, Britain is tied to America and depends on it most of all in the EU, Britain is frightening to leave the EU, so there is no such hype in the press as about Greece , probably it doesn’t scare anyone.
            1. BMW
              0
              3 August 2015 15: 05
              Quote: BilliBoms09
              Britain tied to America and depends on it the most in the EU


              So you answered yourself. It is through London that the flow of "left" money goes, it is London that is tied to American capital. All fraud with excess dollars and Fed debt is done through London. And Berlin is forced to build up the real sector of the economy, and only in this way can it achieve independence from the United States. It is Berlin that is not profitable for Greece to leave the Euro zone, since this could pull other countries with it, and weaken Berlin's growing influence. And London has historically been a competitor to Berlin. In addition, it is the British economy that is least of all tied to the EU, and loses from this more than other countries.
    3. The comment was deleted.
    4. 0
      3 August 2015 08: 59
      So, the EU was originally imprisoned for the creation of the Fourth Reich and the war with Russia. Therefore, Turkey was not taken there because it did not fight in the VM with the USSR.
  2. +1
    3 August 2015 06: 26
    The Fifth Reich rules in Europe. What Germany was unable to achieve with two world wars, it achieved economically.
  3. +8
    3 August 2015 06: 34
    Germans are Germans. No wonder they make a Mercedes and BMW. They just don’t know how to get out from under the Americanos heel and not get on the fifth point.
  4. dsi
    +15
    3 August 2015 06: 37
    And there will be no "German Europe", for Germany is not in a position to pursue an independent policy. Well, they cannot "stand by themselves" for 75 years already. However, like the French. A pitiful parody of the once great powers ...
    1. +12
      3 August 2015 07: 50
      Quote: dsi
      However, like the French. A miserable parody of the once great powers ...
      The First World War was a decisive battle, who will become the leader in the world, four empires collapsed that could claim the world throne - the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, German and Russian. The Anglo-Saxons won, wisely playing off the challengers, using them to their advantage. But, in Russia, the Bolsheviks came to power and created a different system, socialist, over which the Britons and Yankees had no control, so the USSR was later able to become a superpower, and therefore a multipolar world arose. The Second World War was needed to complete the process of strengthening the power of the Anglo-Saxons, and to destroy the Soviet Union as a competitor and hindrance in world domination, for this Hitler was nourished, given time and the opportunity to gain strength. They also made good money in the war, the same companies from the United States sold weapons to "both." Old Churchill, the USSR was forced to provide its assistance due to a miscalculation in the direction of Germany's main aggression not against the USSR, but against the West. If the Britons were not very sad for France (France was still a competitor), then they were alarmed for their islands. Secondly, Churchill said that it is necessary to help according to the circumstances, then the Russians, then the Germans, so that they kill each other, as much as possible. Such are they, vile Ango-Saxons. The United States then helped the destroyed Europe so much according to the Marshal's plan that it is now dependent, and Germany remained under occupation. In the world of capitalism, the leadership was seized by the Anglo-Saxons (in World War II, they finished off another empire in the East, Japan, the United States and occupied it), by and large, the entire world financial system is now sharpened for them. One must understand that one can get away from this only by playing by different rules and in a different coordinate system. If the Germans choose socialism, perhaps they will build their own new Reich, independent of London and Washington. As for our mother Russia, they are again preparing "Hitler" for us, now from the territory of Ukraine, and our independence and desire to revive a multipolar world will be more successful only when we stop playing by someone else's rules, not invented for the good of Russia. In this, the ideal would be an alliance of Russia with Germany, and better in a renewed socialism. Of course, this is just my vision and understanding, nothing more.
      1. +3
        3 August 2015 09: 22
        Quote: Per se.
        The ideal would be an alliance between Russia and Germany, and better in a renewed socialism.



        A good idea that has the right to life ... A powerful conglomerate that would manage not only Europe could turn out ... And it seems to me that many Germans - not politicians - would like it ...

        However, politicians always remain politicians ... And therefore, your idea is unlikely when it will be implemented ...
        1. 0
          3 August 2015 19: 04
          and the idea can be implemented. there is nothing unrealistic about this. Just nobody doesn't want do nothing for this.
          seriously, if you think it over correctly, set a goal, determine the means and steps to achieve the goal, then everything can work out.
          But somehow we are lazy or do not want to, we are afraid, we doubt it. We think that it will do so, that it will cost, carry, be lucky by itself and it is better to go do something interesting ...

          and all "liberals" fail because they are not smart enough
    2. +5
      3 August 2015 08: 22
      Quote: dsi
      And there will be no "German Europe", for Germany is not in a position to pursue an independent policy. Well, they cannot "stand by themselves" for 75 years already. However, like the French. A pitiful parody of the once great powers ...

      Need to understand
      Strengthening Germany is not profitable for the USA. For if this happens, the US influence on Germany’s patrimony will fall sharply ... Then it will certainly be complete for them .... Germany can help the alliance with Russia in this matter. But here the USA will try to prevent this . And they still succeed ...
      1. +3
        3 August 2015 09: 25
        Quote: AleksUkr
        An alliance with Russia can help Germany in this matter. But here, too, the United States will try to prevent this. And they still succeed ..



        For the United States, the scarecrow is not even the alliance of Europe with Russia, but simply good-neighborly economic relations ... And the alliance of Russia with Germany means the collapse of the United States around the world (first in Europe) ...
  5. -1
    3 August 2015 07: 22
    Quote: dsi
    A miserable parody of the once great powers ...


    And they were not, in fact, "great powers", ... They themselves thought so or still think ... I don't know ...
  6. +2
    3 August 2015 07: 39
    In addition to their own armed forces, a batch of French tanks was purchased military united arab emirateswho provided financial assistance in the development and production of Leclerc
    And now these tanks are fighting for the Saudis in Yemen. But there are also our "Cornets" based on "Humvee" and BMP-3 are being tested by fire, tf. Such is the collision what PS I will not touch on the political aspect of this deal, but the fact that, if it does affect production, it will only have a positive effect, which means that the countries (members of NATO and having the same border with us in Europe through this military bloc) ) can easily equip their armies and the armies of the allies with the latest models of equipment and weapons, carry out modernization. And this is "not a gut", as they say in Germany.
  7. +1
    3 August 2015 08: 14
    So far, the attempts of Europeans to develop a joint tank and begin its production have not yielded results.

    What Europe was planning to do jointly (concerning military equipment) did not give positive results. Perhaps this is influenced by the ambitions of large arms manufacturers in Europe - firms from Germany, France, England, each pulling the blanket over himself. Therefore, the Germans are going to "merge" with the French, and simply Germany crushes under itself and removes a competitor. This is for the best for us.
  8. +1
    3 August 2015 08: 20
    In the photo there is a tanchik - did it seem to me or "is it the same color?
  9. +1
    3 August 2015 08: 34
    In my unsophisticated view, attempts to create a "European tank" are initially doomed to failure. You cannot share your armed forces with your neighbors. It will not lead to anything good. If the engine is Finnish, the tracks and cannon are German, the instruments are French, and the metal for the armor comes from old Soviet T-64s, then who will own the tank that came off the assembly line? Meanwhile, replacing a cannon on such a product will be a little more difficult than remaking a T-34 for an 85 mm gun. Other now calibers and guns are also different, more powerful. And it is even more difficult to install another engine.
    Therefore: swan, cancer and pike. And the European tank is not and never will be. There will be new Leopards, the Leclerc will be modified - and that's it.
    1. +2
      3 August 2015 09: 26
      Quote: RiverVV
      Do not share your armed forces with neighbors.



      A striking example of the impact of the industry of the neighbor Ukraine on the defense of our country: helicopter planes, ships, Voivode-Satan ...
    2. +1
      3 August 2015 13: 35
      Dear RiverVV, it seems to me that you are mistaken, it’s not bad to assemble the best components in one tank. If the Germans make good guns, then the Americans put them on their abrams and do not consider it bad, sometimes it’s cheaper to buy than to produce from scratch. Plus, you can choose from several competing manufacturers, which spurs quality.
  10. +2
    3 August 2015 08: 40
    nothing new ... only money, money and money ... the conflict in Ukraine is very much about the whole of Europe ... finally "proved" - you need to arm yourself and unbuckle money for tanks ...
    1. 0
      3 August 2015 10: 07
      Yeah, really nothing new, capitalism in action and Merkel’s grandmother acts in his interests.
  11. 0
    3 August 2015 09: 46
    Are Germans trying to build a "democratic IV Reich" in Europe?
  12. 0
    3 August 2015 11: 04
    What can I say? The Germans are great. Unite and unite.
    Well, from Russia they are ripping off piece by piece. Ukraine is now lost. It is a fully combat-ready country and a fairly developed industry. However, she "hastened" to a united Europe.
    We barely managed to chop off the Crimea. And this is good.
    1. +2
      3 August 2015 13: 53
      Dan Slav
      We barely managed to chop off the Crimea


      ..... you would chop off your tongue! The people would not want to ....... and at least get drunk, it’s like jumping a parachute. Crimea was always Russian, and the fact that it was temporarily entering another state is a mistake, which was corrected !!!
  13. The comment was deleted.
  14. The comment was deleted.
  15. -1
    3 August 2015 11: 49
    Quote: Dan Slav
    We barely managed to chop off the Crimea. And this is good.

    winked
  16. 0
    3 August 2015 11: 59
    Germans repeat their mistakes along with achievements
    if you don’t change your mind, a sad experience can happen again
    make a good tank is one thing and fight is another
  17. +2
    3 August 2015 12: 05
    Quote: veksha50
    Quote: RiverVV
    Do not share your armed forces with neighbors.



    A striking example of the impact of the industry of the neighbor Ukraine on the defense of our country: helicopter planes, ships, Voivode-Satan ...


    Nobody shared anything. This is the Soviet Union built on its territory.
  18. 0
    3 August 2015 17: 15
    There will be no sense in this project, each will run away again with his own, but about Germany, now it’s not that Germany there is no real person or group of people that would not be ambitious projects to conquer Europe, but under the USA there will be no attempt by Germany to present its external politics are only attempts
  19. +3
    4 August 2015 15: 16
    Quote: denis02135
    ... Germans make good guns, then Americans put them on their abrams ...

    In addition to the Rheinmetall guns, the price includes German MTU turbodiesels and Renk hydromechanical transmissions, which are optionally offered for Abrams, Challenger, Leclerc, are put on the Indian Arjun and South Korean K1 and K2.
    Quote: 31rus
    There will be no sense in this project, again everyone will run away with his ...

    Joint European projects:
    - Eurofighter Typhoon - a multi-role fighter
    - “Tornado” - fighter-bomber
    - "Jaguar" - a fighter-bomber
    - “Alpha Jet” - light attack aircraft
    - “Atlantic” - the base patrol aircraft
    - A400M - military transport aircraft
    - C-160 Transal - medium military transport aircraft
    - "Tiger" - attack helicopter
    - "Gazelle" - a light combat helicopter
    - "Puma" - multi-purpose (assault) helicopter
    - NH-90 - multi-purpose (assault) helicopter
    - EH-101 “Merlin” - multi-purpose (transport and landing) helicopter
    - "Roland" - SAM
    - “HOT” - ATGM
    - “Milan” - ATGM
    - AIM-132 ASRAAM - air-to-air missile defense class melee
    - ASCOD - BMP
    - “Boxer” - BTR
    - “Feneck” - BRM
    - FH-70 - 155mm towed howitzer

    Also, a separate Franco-German motorized infantry brigade and the united army corps (UAC) have not yet been disbanded and are functioning:
    - NATO SBR, based on the British 1 AK (+ Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany and others.)
    - “Eurocorpus” (Austria, Belgium, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Poland, etc.)
    - German-Dutch
    - German-Danish-Polish.
    It should be borne in mind that the combat structure of the KLA is unstable and depends, in particular, on the theater of use (CE, CE, SE).
  20. +1
    13 August 2015 13: 34
    As the French were, they remained the litter of the Germans!
  21. 0
    16 August 2015 16: 17
    There is no general military service in Germany, the size of the army
    is only 63 thousand people and on her
    armament of only 285 MBT and approximately 250 aircraft.
  22. 0
    15 September 2015 14: 06
    The view of the tank is formidable and not piercing in appearance am

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