Taurus wiretapping scandal
“Individual application error”: Pistorius stands in front of Bundeswehr officers
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) makes his press statement on the current situation following the wiretapping scandal
© Michael Kappeler / DPA
The intercepted conversation between Bundeswehr officers about Taurus deliveries for Ukraine continues to make waves. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has now given the first details of the investigation.
According to initial investigations, an “individual application error” is responsible for the fact that the conversation of high-ranking Bundeswehr officers about the Taurus weapon system could be intercepted. This is what the Defense Minister said Boris Pistorius (SPD) in Berlin on Tuesday. The error goes back to the participant who took part in the conversation from Singapore. Pistorius ruled out the possibility that a Russian spy had dialed into the conversation.
The defense minister said that preliminary disciplinary investigations had been initiated against all four participants in the conversation. But he also emphasized: “Personal consequences are not on the agenda at the moment.” Pistorius emphasized that he would “not sacrifice any of my best officers to Putin’s games.”
Boris Pistorius comments on wiretapping scandal
On Friday, Russia published a recorded conference call of four senior officers, including Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz. In it, they discussed operational scenarios for the German Taurus cruise missile if it were to be delivered to Ukraine. The recording also shows that there is no political green light for the delivery of the cruise missiles demanded by Kiev. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) justified his rejection by saying that Germany could then be drawn into the war. On Monday he reiterated his position and said: “I am the chancellor and therefore this applies.” Taurus has a range of 500 kilometers and can therefore also hit targets in Moscow from Ukraine.
Infographics
Leopard 2, Challenger, Abrams and Co.: Data, facts and functions of various weapon systems
After discussions with allies about the wiretapping affair, Pistorius sees no damage to trust in NATO partner Germany. The SPD politician said he did not notice any irritation in conversations on Monday.