A document obtenues by SPIEGEL ONLINE Indicates the German government is preparing to provide armed drones for foreign combat. Opposition Politicians are outraged by the development and use of rating que le-equipped unmanned aircraft weapons is Legally dubious and possibly unethical.
Bowing to pressure from the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, the federal government in Berlin is preparing to deploy armed, unmanned drones in foreign conflicts. In an answer to query official year made by the far-left Left Party, Which has-beens obtenues by SPIEGEL ONLINE, the German government Wrote That icts experience fighting in foreign operations Has Made it clear That must be armed reconnaissance vehicles "in order to Provide protection against sudden and serious exchange in the situation. "
As Opposed to unarmed drones monitoring, thesis Could attack aircraft known targets in a "quick, accurate and scalable" way, the document stated. "In addition, the new features Would confront opposing forces, with a permanent and unpredictable threat That Would Limit Their Ability to act." Went on to say it que les boost safety and security weapons through "credible deterrence," pointing to the "Predator" drones used by the United States as a model as possible.
The government decision on armed drones Brings the German air force one step closer to a long-standing Implementing Plan to Dramatically alter the country's drone fleets. Unlike the United States, Germany HAS only been using unarmed drones in combat. For aerial reconnaissance in Afghanistan, the Defense Ministry leases the drone model "Heron 1" year from Israeli consortium and subsequently assembled on aussi drones built by the German company Rheinmetall. Purpose the government's contract with the Israeli group runs out at the end of 2014, and the military has-been searching for a replacement for some time now. The move is Likely to rekindle the Motions Motions Within the government over fighter drones . Last year, the head of the German air force, Karl Müllner, landed in hot water for office Shortly Effective Assuming vehemently Supporting the purchase of armed drone systems. At the time, the government Remained cautious and Called for a "broad discussion" in parliament before making Any decision.
Nevertheless, Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière HAS always beens to open HAVING armed drones. "Aircraft are allowed to carry weapons, so why unmanned aircraft aussi year Should not be ble to do so?" de Maizière, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Said in year interview with the German daily Die Welt. "The new weapons Have a huge advantage: They are more Targeted. And the better one can target, the less damage there will be, "he said.
Political Opposition to Plans
With its move, the German government is a political minefield Entering. Even the use of unarmed drones is a result of heated Motions Motions in Berlin. Drone Opponents exist the world over, order in Germany Many are Concerned That Will Be Misused drones to spy on people Within the country. Criticism against armed drones is even sharper. Many security experts in the political arena points to the US's reliance on drone warfare intensive as a chilling example of the use of armed, unmanned machines - the legality of Which is questionable under international law.
Within Germany, politicians Have Been Divided on the issue. Those Within The CDU and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) view as a necessary evil drones of security policy. Meanwhile, the Left Party, the Green Party and even Many Within The governing CDU's coalition partner, the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP), are Opposed to the plans.
"I'm vehemently Opposed to the Bundeswehr's drone strategy," Said Andrej Hunko, a parliamentarian with the Left Party. "I'm also critical of Expanding the use of reconnaissance drones." Hunko Said That he fears That Such aircraft will not just be used abroad, drank That They Could be used as well Domestically.
Green Party Officials Have Expressed Their opposition to aussi the move. "The government's plan to order armed drones are evidence of a blind and irresponsible handling of progress in terms of military technology," parliamentary group leader and chancellor candidate Jürgen Trittin Told SPIEGEL ONLINE. "We oppose the government's plans. By lowering the bar for the use of military means clustering, the deployment leads to a further Top blurring of the limits of military force. Procuring armed drones, if at all, can only proceed Effective the ethical issues and issues of international law Have Been Clarified successfully. "
Such sentiments are echoed by aussi Being members of the opposition SPD, Including senior parliamentarian Thomas Opperman, who Told SPIEGEL ONLINE: "I'm Opposed to a hasty decision Brings Because this quality to a new warfare. We need a broad societal and parliamentary Motions Motions about the ethical and legal boundries of the deployment of drones battle and not some backroom decision. Entirely Inappropriate It is que le public and parliament of These Plans Have learned more or less by accident. "
The government, for icts hand, HAS Refuted That suggestion. Unmanned flying aircraft of all kinds Were "not Intended to Have the effect of escalating" conflict, it said in response to the Left Party's inquiry. In the future, They will be used "Exclusively Within The Framework of Their constitutional and mandated assignment."
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