Economics Minister and Vice Chancellor of Germany Robert Habeck made it clear that Berlin plans to speed up the approval of arms purchases and ensure greater certainty in the planning of large contracts.
Evropeyska Pravda writes, Bloomberg reports.
Habek noted that the processes of agreeing on weapons purchases are often too long, so they need to be accelerated, and the rules on dual-use goods that can be used for both military and civilian purposes, will be reviewed.
“If we look at Russia, then against this threatening background, we must ensure the increase in the production of goods that increase the country's security capabilities,” – he said after a meeting with representatives of the German defense industry and the security sector.
According to him, the situation with global threats has changed, so “it would be naive not to think about it”.
Habek also said he was working on alternative funds when the €100 billion German special fund runs out, 80% of which has already been budgeted to allow companies to plan larger arms orders.
The minister also said he supports the idea the creation of a separate European commissioner for defense.
Earlier, the co-chairman of Germany's ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD), Lars Klingbeil, said that Berlin would have to loosen the debt ceiling to keep defense spending above NATO's target in 2% of GDP in the coming years.
At the same time, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed readiness to discuss reforming the country's budget rules, which limit the size of its borrowings.