Germany to bring 100 mothballed tanks back into service

[Theinquisition]

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32257543

Germany plans to bring 100 mothballed tanks back into service in what is widely seen as a response to rising tensions with Russia over Ukraine.

The tanks were sold to industry as part of defence cuts after the Cold War.

The German defence ministry said it would spend €22m (£16m;$24m) on bringing its total of tanks to 328.

Nato officials agreed in February to create a quick-reaction force to meet the challenges posed by the Ukraine crisis and by Islamic extremists.

Nato defence ministers have also agreed to more than double the size of the alliance's Response Force.




The moves were seen as a signal that Nato regards Russia's seizure of Crimea and its military forays into eastern Ukraine as much more than a temporary crisis.

German defence ministry spokesman Jens Flosdorff confirmed a report by Der Spiegel (in German), saying 100 Leopard 2 battle tanks will be bought back from the defence industry, which has kept them in storage.

The spokesman said Germany has to ensure that it can deploy troops with the correct equipment to the right place in a short period of time, given the new goals of flexibility and swift reaction times.

"This can only succeed if the equipment does not need to be first moved around through the country," Mr Flosdorff said.

The tanks will begin to be modernised in 2017.

The move partially reverses a decision made four years ago to cut the total number of German tanks from 350 to 225.





Shit just got real, Germany is preparing for the worst.

Germans on this forum, how do you feel about this?

[Stormdash]

I'm not a German, but I don't blame them. For the world leaders who realize the game is chess and not checkers, there are reasons to be concerned war is looming in Europe as well as (again) in the Middle East. WWIII won't look like nuclear holocaust, it'll just be WWII on an even bigger scale.

[Belize]

Time to invest in Leman Russes and Baneblades!

[Grimbold21]

Are 100 tanks even a significant amount?

[Deleted]

Shit just got real, Germany is preparing for the worst.

Germans on this forum, how do you feel about this?

Just reversing the demilitarization after the fall of the Wall partially it seems.

[Rhine101]

My great granddad was German. Do I count?

[Stormdash]

Are 100 tanks even a significant amount?

100 main battle tanks isn't not significant. According to a search at globalfirepower.com, Germany only has 400-ish tanks, not all of which are MBTs. So it's a pretty decent amount.

[openair]

The German defence ministry said it would spend €22m (£16m;$24m) on bringing its total of tanks to 328.

The move partially reverses a decision made four years ago to cut the total number of German tanks from 350 to 225.

Shit just got real, Germany is preparing for the worst.

Germans on this forum, how do you feel about this?

Partial reversing a previous decision, such that they will still have fewer tanks than prior to four years ago but more than planned when the decision was made is not preparing for the worst. Way to sensualize!

The USA spends $100s of millions for each (1!) aircraft like the F22 but Germany spending $24 million to modernize 100 old tanks is the shit getting real lol.

[apepi]

Mothballed? As in filled with mothballs? Who the fuck is going to clean that shit up?

[Grimbold21]

100 main battle tanks isn't not significant. According to a search at globalfirepower.com, Germany only has 400-ish tanks, not all of which are MBTs. So it's a pretty decent amount.

Well what do i know... if their purpose is intimidation, that number may suffice, but if it escalated into full conflict, i dont think that would be enough

[Stormdash]

Well what do i know... if their purpose is intimidation, that number may suffice, but if it escalated into full conflict, i dont think that would be enough

No, not at all, and as noted, it's actually just a net decrease, in their overall downgrade of armor strength. But, you only have what you have. Pretty much since WWII, Europe has had the implicit assurance of US armor and infantry as a guarantor against a ground war on the continent, but I think confidence in that safety net has decreased significantly over the past few years -- can't imagine why -- so Germany and anyone else looking a few moves ahead know they probably should have another plan.

[Deleted]

Good they got a 100 tank to kite the boss

[Kellhound]

Are 100 tanks even a significant amount?

Yes and no. It is a ~50% increase of German tanks, but the Russians have 2500 tanks active.

[lockedout]

If Germany wanted to it could make the best tanks, everyone knows Germans make the best machinery. They are probably scared to start making machines of war due to their past.

[cubby]

Kind of interesting if they are doing it for the reasons you are saying (and I'm not disagreeing, just to be clear). 328 tanks - what is that, a brigade?

[Kellhound]

If Germany wanted to it could make the best tanks, everyone knows Germans make the best machinery. They are probably scared to start making machines of war due to their past.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_2

They already make one of the best tanks. They also make the main gun on the US M1A1.

[cubby]

If Germany wanted to it could make the best tanks, everyone knows Germans make the best machinery. They are probably scared to start making machines of war due to their past.

True in 1940's, not so much any more. The M1A2 Abrams is pretty hot shit. However, Germany industry is pretty fucking awesome - so no way to tell unless they actually do.

Also, just as an aside - how would we tell what the best tank is - short of actual combat?

[Kasierith]

If Germany wanted to it could make the best tanks, everyone knows Germans make the best machinery. They are probably scared to start making machines of war due to their past.

More likely the threat doesn't currently warrant the cost, and their purpose is more of a show of force than a preparation for open warfare.

[lockedout]

Also, just as an aside - how would we tell what the best tank is - short of actual combat?

You look for where it says "Made in Germany."

[cubby]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_2

They already make one of the best tanks. They also make the main gun on the US M1A1.

I didn't know they produced the main gun for the M1A2 - but I'm not sure the Leopard 2 is better than the M1A2.