Europe Not Ready for Conflict With Russia, Says Rheinmetall CEO


Summary
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall, has cautioned that European allied forces are inadequately prepared for a potential conflict with Russia. He emphasized the urgent need to increase defense spending to at least 3% of GDP to address deficiencies in military readiness, including ammunition shortages, air defense systems, and vehicle procurement. Germany alone would require a €120 billion defense budget to meet these needs. Papperger also pointed out the challenges in scaling military production, citing the lack of automated facilities for equipment like Leopard tanks. Despite the hurdles, Rheinmetall is committed to expanding production to meet growing demands.


Armin Papperger, CEO of German defense giant Rheinmetall, has warned that European allied forces are ill-prepared for a potential conflict with Russia. In an interview with *Faces of Democracy* (reported by Digi24), he urged European nations to raise defense spending to at least 3% of GDP to address critical military deficiencies.

Concerns Over Military Readiness

Papperger highlighted that neither Germany’s Bundeswehr nor other European armies are currently equipped to withstand a possible Russian attack. He stressed that replenishing ammunition stockpiles could take up to a decade, adding to the urgency for military upgrades.

Increased Defense Spending Needed

To enhance air defense systems, procure advanced vehicles, and digitalize battlefields, Papperger recommended defense budgets of 3% or more of GDP. For Germany, this would equate to approximately €120 billion—significantly higher than its current €51 billion allocation.
He acknowledged the challenges of securing such funds, noting that extraordinary budgets or adjustments to financial policies would likely be required.

Industrial Production Challenges

On the production front, Papperger emphasized the need for significant investment to establish large-scale manufacturing capabilities for essential equipment like Leopard tanks. He highlighted Rheinmetall’s recent successes in scaling ammunition production as a step in the right direction but noted that more substantial commitments would be required to match Russia’s capacity.


Disclaimer
The views expressed are based on the statements of Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and do not represent the stance of all European nations or defense organizations. Figures and projections mentioned are subject to future developments and should be interpreted within the context of current global security dynamics.


source : Dagens.com India (Eng)

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