The chancellor eventually landed by helicopter at the fair and thus avoided an incredible inconvenience. Because early in the morning, pro-Palestinian activists from the Peace Against Genocide organization literally stuck to the asphalt, on the way to the exhibition space, forcing exhibitors, workers, visitors and journalists to walk for kilometers and arrive late.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Shortly before he and other officials toured the stands, heavy rain broke out, making it difficult to travel outside the International Air and Space Show (ILA), one of the world’s largest of its kind, which closed its gates last Sunday.
It is enough to wander around the stands and outside areas to realize that the aeronautical industry, especially the war industry, has taken the messages of the times and is feverishly preparing for the inevitable scenario of a war conflict in Europe.
In the shadow of FCAS failure
Two days before the Exhibition began last Wednesday, the burial of a flagship German-French venture, the FCAS (Future Combat Air System), symbol of European defense prowess, cast its shadow heavily. Especially for two countries that want to play the role of a steam engine in the defense sector and send to the other side of the Atlantic a strong message of war prowess. After years of preparation, Germany and France suddenly announced that the companies that would build this state-of-the-art 6th generation fighter jet – with unmanned drones, satellites and digital battle networks in a single system – could not agree.
Conflicts of interest, particularly between France’s Dassault and Europe’s Airbus, with major facilities in Germany, over intellectual property, development know-how and management of the fighter jet program were insurmountable and the costs enormous, with the first fighter scheduled for delivery in 2040.
Of course the chancellor, announcing the opening of the exhibition, tried to present the failure as an opportunity. “We will keep the real core of FCAS as a European system of systems” he said “and therein lies a great opportunity for a central Franco-German defense industrial project of the future, which we want to develop together. Exactly how the defense ministers of the two countries will work it out ahead of the next Franco-German government meeting in Germany in July”. Eight German companies are at the starting point for joint development of the new latest generation fighter in cooperation with European partners.
Drones and Ukraine
This development is reshaping the defense industry landscape, creating new business opportunities and strengthening Germany’s ambitions to lead the European defense sector. It has resources. By 2030, defense investment will reach 3.7% of GDP. It is no coincidence that a few hours before Merz visited the Exhibition, the German Cabinet chaired by him approved the new German Aviation Strategy (Luftfahrtstrategie) linking it to military aerospace, innovation and national security.
Berlin’s leading visions were also visually captured in the sky above the outdoor exhibition space. Four paratroopers dropped in formations from a helicopter. The former had the German flag hanging from it – a rare move in a country which, due to its past history, continues to have a difficult relationship with national symbols. As the only Greek medium that accompanied the chancellor on his tour of the exhibition stands, “To Vima” documented how deeply the war in Ukraine is having an impact on the business decisions of the defense giants.
Airbus, for example, had as exhibits Eurofighter Teaming, one unmanned collaborative combat aircraft, known as the “Collaborative Combat Aircraft” (CCA), for use alongside combat aircraft to be delivered by the Bundeswehr in 2029. Or the UO-50 Flexrotor, a reconnaissance and surveillance drone that can take off and land vertically like helicopters.
The interest of the public – and the chancellor – was captured by the IRIS-T SLS MK 4 mobile air defense system, from the German company Diehl Defense, one of the most modern European short-range air defense systems. Ukrainians have bought a lot of such systems. The chancellor visited the Bavarian start-up Quantum-Systems and unveiled the PULSE P19, Germany’s first combat drone likely to be launched in 2027. The company has established facilities and training centers in Ukraine.
“Sad situation for an airport”
Compared to previous years, this year’s ILA sees a shift in emphasis from one of Europe’s largest civil aircraft trade shows to a defense or military show, depending on one’s perspective. For the first time there is a well-guarded ‘Defence Park’ and the German Armed Forces are the largest single exhibitor. At ILA, Emirates is once again exhibiting the world’s largest civil aircraft: a four-engine double-decker A380 with 850 seats, the ultimate in luxury in its private first class suites, upstairs spa shower and lounge bar.
He flew in specially for the exhibition from Dubai. It is so large that it stands out from all the exhibits outside. An ‘oversized reminder’ from Emirates CEO Sir Tim Clarkthat his company wants to fly passengers to Berlin and not just send the aircraft as an exhibit.
Emirates serves four German airports, but not Berlin, “a sad situation for an airport in a European capital, a shame for Germany as a business center” as he said.
The 76-year-old British manager suspects a “finger” from rival airlines which he does not want to name. He did however graciously welcome the chancellor for a quick tour of the flagship of his company’s fleet before Mertz departed by road for the chancellery. The police had in the meantime managed to dislodge the protesters from the asphalt.
