Foreign Minister Heiko Maas sided with supporters in the dispute over arming Bundeswehr drones. “If there is material that is really necessary to protect German soldiers abroad, it should also be made available to the soldiers,” he told the German Press Agency.

At the same time, the SPD politician, like Vice Chancellor and SPD candidate for Chancellor Olaf Scholz, backed the decision of his party and parliamentary group leadership to continue the debate on the sensitive issue. “If parts of Parliament are of the opinion that this has not yet been fully discussed, then I accept that.”

Debate on armed drones since 10 years So far, the Bundeswehr has only used drones for reconnaissance purposes, for example in Afghanistan or Mali. Now the question is whether the new Heron TP drones, which are to be delivered from Israel to the Bundeswehr soon, should be armed.

The SPD -Chairman Norbert Walter-Borjans and parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich announced further need for discussion at the beginning of the week and thus put the armament on hold, which caused outrage among the coalition partners of the CDU and CSU. The debate about arming drones has been going on in Germany for almost ten years.

Best possible protection for soldiers “The most important thing for me is that the right decisions are made,” said Maas. “I’ve often found that difficult processes lead to lengthy discussions.” On the matter he adopted the main argument of the proponents. “I am of the opinion that the German soldiers on missions abroad should be given the best possible protection,” he said. “Using drones for reconnaissance, but also to protect soldiers, to ward off immediate and concrete dangers, I consider correct and understandable.”

(bme)