Former Airbus CEO Tom Enders warns the new German government against indiscriminately spending billions on armament and focusing primarily on traditional weapons. In an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” Enders stated, “The money must not just be thrown away. We must be careful in the current situation to ensure that the funds are used for meaningful reinforcements. How many combat drones does the Bundeswehr have today? Virtually none, which does not mean they are not available.” Enders pointed out that the situation in Ukraine is already a drone war, with the country developing drones of various sizes in recent years. He added, “With an intelligent drone for 10,000 euros, you can destroy a tank that costs seven million euros. This clearly shows the cost-benefit ratio.”
Enders, an expert in the European aerospace and defense industry and head of the German Society for Foreign Policy, emphasized the need for a technology-focused and technology-driven defense strategy. He argued that Europe should become more independent of the United States in defense matters, stating, “We need European sovereignty. We need a kind of Euro-NATO.” He noted that Europe and Germany are well-suited for defense, with a highly capable weapons industry. He highlighted the ability of British, French and German companies to produce and export top-quality weapons, including fighter planes, tanks, warships and missiles. Enders also mentioned the significant expertise in drone technology and artificial intelligence possessed by many young companies, particularly in Germany. He called for a fast-track process to bypass established defense bureaucracy and stressed the urgency of achieving European defense autonomy.