Germany spends hundreds of billions of euros on autobuld warplanes

Sources for Reuters suggest that purchases are part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's effort to build Europe's most powerful conventional army, with the aim of lowering dependence on an increasingly unpredictable ally, the United States, and taking on greater responsibility for European security, a2 CNN follows.

Earlier this year, Merz secured the parliamentary support needed to exclude defence spending from the constitutionally defined borders of Germany's debt, enabling his government to finance military reshuffle.

Germany's regular defence budget is projected to rise to around 83 billion euros (95.8 billion dollars) in 2026, 20 billion more than in 2025. Only Eurolighter's message is expected to cost between 4 billion and 5 billion euros, sources said, while Boxer vehicles are estimated at 10 billion euros. Patria cars are expected to cost approximately 7 billion euros.

Defence ministry is also finalising plans to buy more air defence systems. RIS-T and several hundred defence platforms from the fears SkyRanger, sources said, noting that financial details for these purchases have not yet been finalised. Merz has pledged to meet NATO's new standard for spending of 3.5% of GDP for protection by 2029 well ahead of most alliance members. /Periscope/