After the “Gorch Fock”-rehabilitation, has criticised the Federal court for further waste cases in the armed forces – such as escalating costs for old aircraft, and the planned purchase of unnecessary radio equipment.
Christian field, ARD-capital Studio
At the entrance of the meeting hall PLH 2.600 lights up the red sign, “Secret”. The defence Committee is not in session, such as always-open to the public. In the late morning, Ursula von der Leyen leaves the session. What has been previously discussed in terms of the “Gorch Fock”, does not want to comment on the defence Minister.
Gorch Fock, consultants affair – and now new cases: the Federal court of auditors criticized the actions of the Ministry of defence Ursula von der Leyen.
Whether it is the repair of a sailing school vessel or the use of external consultants in the German army, the reports of the Federal court of auditors delivered at least a lot of conversation material for the defence Committee. The auditor to deal intensively with the German armed forces, is not surprising. Finally, the budget is large. Large defence projects in the billion-range.
Today, the Federal court of auditors forwarded its supplementary volume to his “remarks of 2018,” to the Bundestag and the Federal government in other cases, a waste in dealing with taxpayers ‘ money. In it projects, where auditors and management are not yet fully of an opinion listed. Three of the nine contributions deal with the Bundeswehr.
Elderly aircraft
in 2006, the German Bundeswehr bought eight Navy aircraft from the Netherlands. According to the description of the Federal court of auditors, they were already 20 years old and in poor condition. The goal is to use the aircraft economically, had been missed. Of an “infinite modernization story” talk to the auditor. It had already been a billion spent, it could add another billion. The Federal court of auditors calls for a complete revaluation and writes: “It is naïve to previous planning.” Everything should now be on the table.
The Ministry of defence announces: “The German armed forces closely monitored the fulfilment of the contractually owed services by the industry and follows to the extent that recommendations of the German Federal court of auditors.” This year alone, there have already been two rounds of talks with the company Airbus Defence and Space, with the aim to speed up the processes.
memories of the Gorch Fock
And so the story of the reconnaissance aircraft Orion is reminiscent of the restoration of the “Gorch Fock”, the costs explode. In an interview with the ARD-capital Studio of the President of the Federal court of audit, Kay Scheller said: “Before a ship departs the shipyard, or before an old plane will be repaired, you need to check exactly by how much is the cost, how high the costs are, how much time you need.” Otherwise you have experiences like in the last few months.
On the question of whether there is a fundamental Problem, said Scheller: “There’s a lot of air is upwards. We note that again and again. The Bundeswehr and the defense Ministry are invited to make this thing better.” The Federal court requires that an independent auditor found the “Gorch Fock” in the current state, to find out if this ship is even in the next 20 years the German Navy for the training.