Germany to get new air defense system, battleships

Germany to get new air defense system, 4 new battleships for nearly $8.9 billion

   BERLIN (AP) --- Germany plans to acquire a new air defense system and four new battleships over the coming years for a total of nearly 8 billion euros ($8.9 billion).

   Military chief Gen. Volker Wieker said Tuesday that Germany plans to get the Medium Extended Air Defense System, or MEADS, the news agency dpa reported. The plan is for MEADS — developed by Lockheed Martin of the U.S. along with German and Italian companies — to replace the military's existing Patriot batteries from 2025.

   The MEADS acquisition will cost around 4 billion euros. Germany also plans to spend 3.9 billion euros on four multipurpose battleships and the Defense Ministry says tenders will be invited from across Europe for that contract. The first should be delivered in 2023.