“`html
Germany has enacted legislation to expedite the expansion of its military capabilities adn size, a move directly linked to Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
This new law is expected to significantly accelerate infrastructure progress for the armed forces,according to Helmut Rauch,CEO of Diehl Defense. During a visit to the Diehl plant near Nuremberg, Rauch highlighted the law’s importance to Katherina Reiche, Germany’s Minister of Economics.
Diehl Defence, the manufacturer of the highly sought-after Iris-T air defence system, experienced a 60% growth last year, a trend Rauch anticipates will continue into the next year.
As part of the European Skyshield initiative, eight nations have committed to equipping their militaries with the medium-range Iris-T SLM system. Switzerland and Denmark are the most recent countries to join this initiative.
Minister reiche emphasized that the defense industry has historically been overlooked in Germany, despite its crucial role in bolstering Europe’s defense capabilities.
Diehl has demonstrated its capacity to rapidly scale up production, invest in new technologies, and prepare them for operational use, including advancements in drone countermeasures.
Reiche underscored the importance of the acceleration law, stating that it is indeed essential for meeting the growing demands of the bundeswehr and supporting the defense industry’s efforts to fulfill these needs. She acknowledged that previous processes had been too slow.