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German army 'could recruit EU citizens' | German army 'could recruit EU citizens' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Seven years after Germany scrapped conscription, its defence chief has said employing EU citizens is "an option" to fill expert posts. | Seven years after Germany scrapped conscription, its defence chief has said employing EU citizens is "an option" to fill expert posts. |
Army general inspector Eberhard Zorn said the forces had to "look in all directions in times of a lack of qualified personnel", such as doctors and IT specialists. | Army general inspector Eberhard Zorn said the forces had to "look in all directions in times of a lack of qualified personnel", such as doctors and IT specialists. |
The armed forces have been beset by years of under-investment. | The armed forces have been beset by years of under-investment. |
Germany aims to increase its military by 21,000 personnel by 2025. | Germany aims to increase its military by 21,000 personnel by 2025. |
It has also pledged to raise its defence budget from 1.2% to to 1.5% of its gross domestic product by 2024, in the face of criticism from President Donald Trump that it does not meet the Nato target of 2% of GDP. | It has also pledged to raise its defence budget from 1.2% to to 1.5% of its gross domestic product by 2024, in the face of criticism from President Donald Trump that it does not meet the Nato target of 2% of GDP. |
Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said in an interview on Thursday that 182,000 uniformed soldiers were now employed by the army, a rise of 6,500 in two years. Within seven years, that should reach 203,000. | Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said in an interview on Thursday that 182,000 uniformed soldiers were now employed by the army, a rise of 6,500 in two years. Within seven years, that should reach 203,000. |
She said the army was now made up of 12% women and this year alone one in three people applying to be an officer was a woman. | She said the army was now made up of 12% women and this year alone one in three people applying to be an officer was a woman. |
What does the defence chief propose? | What does the defence chief propose? |
Gen Zorn told the Funke newspaper group that "of course the Bundeswehr needs personnel" and the army had to "push hard for a suitable new generation", although EU citizens in uniform were "an option" to be examined only in specialist fields. | Gen Zorn told the Funke newspaper group that "of course the Bundeswehr needs personnel" and the army had to "push hard for a suitable new generation", although EU citizens in uniform were "an option" to be examined only in specialist fields. |
The media group said the government had already consulted EU partners and that most had reacted cautiously, particularly in Eastern Europe. | The media group said the government had already consulted EU partners and that most had reacted cautiously, particularly in Eastern Europe. |
Under post-World War Two laws, soldiers in the German military have to be German. | Under post-World War Two laws, soldiers in the German military have to be German. |
Parliament's commissioner for the armed forces, Hans-Peter Bartels, said recruiting EU citizens was already a "kind of normality" as many soldiers already had dual nationality or an immigrant background. | Parliament's commissioner for the armed forces, Hans-Peter Bartels, said recruiting EU citizens was already a "kind of normality" as many soldiers already had dual nationality or an immigrant background. |
According to the Funke group, more than 900 foreign citizens are already employed by the military in civilian roles. | According to the Funke group, more than 900 foreign citizens are already employed by the military in civilian roles. |
Last month the UK said more foreign nationals would be able to join its armed forces without having lived in the country in a bid to meet a shortfall of 8,200 soldiers, sailors and air personnel. | |
How unprepared is the German army? | |
The country aims to have 70% of its fighting capacity ready for combat at any time, but recent reports show it is falling short: | |
How did shortages hit Merkel's G20 trip? | How did shortages hit Merkel's G20 trip? |
The spotlight fell on military shortages late last month when Chancellor Angela Merkel had to fly to the G20 summit in Argentina by passenger plane because of a technical failure involving one of the military's two long-haul planes. | The spotlight fell on military shortages late last month when Chancellor Angela Merkel had to fly to the G20 summit in Argentina by passenger plane because of a technical failure involving one of the military's two long-haul planes. |
Ms Von der Leyen said one or two new long-haul planes would be bought, as the two existing planes aged 18 and 19 were too few. | Ms Von der Leyen said one or two new long-haul planes would be bought, as the two existing planes aged 18 and 19 were too few. |
The technical failure involving Mrs Merkel's government plane has been blamed on German airline Lufthansa, according to a report in Der Spiegel. | The technical failure involving Mrs Merkel's government plane has been blamed on German airline Lufthansa, according to a report in Der Spiegel. |
When the pilots tried to reboot the A340's electronics during an in-flight power failure they were unable to restart the radio. | When the pilots tried to reboot the A340's electronics during an in-flight power failure they were unable to restart the radio. |
According to a confidential report cited by Spiegel, the pilots had not been informed of new instructions to restart the radio after Lufthansa's technical subsidiary installed a digital communications system in 2009. | According to a confidential report cited by Spiegel, the pilots had not been informed of new instructions to restart the radio after Lufthansa's technical subsidiary installed a digital communications system in 2009. |