Germany to spend billions for military purchases

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - The German government is seeking approval from the parliament for major military purchases, such as helicopters, drones and rocket launchers, worth billions of euros, local media reported on Monday.

Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen has recently submitted a list of 18 major procurement projects to the parliament’s budget committee, and each project was worth more than 25 million euros, Bild daily reported.

A confidential list published by the daily included plans to buy military transport aircraft, rescue helicopters and Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

The list also included Israeli-made Heron TP drones which would be capable of carrying arms.

Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats and its coalition partner Social Democratic Party (SPD) agreed last month to lease Heron TP drones, which will cost around one billion euros.

Defense Ministry spokesman Holger Neumann declined to make comment on Monday on the reports but confirmed that a confidential document containing German military’s procurement plan was submitted to the parliament’s relevant committees.