Germany backs European 'nuclear umbrella': Here's what Berlin proposes
Photo: CDU/CSU faction leader Jens Spahn (Getty Images)
Germany may gain access to France's and the United Kingdom's nuclear warheads as part of creating a pan-European "nuclear umbrella." Or it may take a leading role in developing new European nuclear weapons, Welt reports, citing the Head of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Jens Spahn.
"Europe must become capable of deterrence. For this purpose, among other things, American atomic bombs are stationed in Germany. But this is not enough in the long term," Spahn told journalists.
In his opinion, there are obstacles on the path to joint use of nuclear weapons. For example, France is unlikely to agree to give Germany access to its nuclear weapons.
Therefore, the politician noted, it is possible to develop a system for transferring control over European nuclear weapons to NATO members on a random basis. This will leave Europe's potential adversary uncertain about exactly who might deliver a nuclear strike.
Another option is to develop new pan-European nuclear weapons that will belong to all European countries of the Alliance. Germany, Spahn said, should take a leading role in this process.
Nuclear weapons for EU
As previously reported, France allows for the possibility of placing its nuclear weapons on the territory of allies, thus replacing the nuclear forces of the United States of America in Europe. Media have also informed that France may station its fighter jets with nuclear weapons in Germany.
At the same time, not all German politicians agree that the American "nuclear shield" can be replaced. For example, Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius believes that Europe has no alternative to US nuclear armament.
