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Merz Sounds Alarm on Russian Subs Targeting Undersea Infrastructure
(MENAFN) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sounded the alarm Tuesday over what he described as a growing Russian submarine fleet built specifically to sabotage undersea cables, pipelines and other critical infrastructure, warning that security threats across northern Europe are intensifying.
"I was in Finland yesterday, where we held an EU summit on security policy in the Arctic region with the Nordic states. What we were told there did nothing to alleviate my concerns," Merz said.
"We are seeing a massive threat to our entire undersea infrastructure. Russia is currently building a new class of submarines designed to destroy undersea cables, pipelines, and infrastructure," he added.
Merz delivered the remarks at the Chancellery while meeting winners of a youth research competition, fresh off an EU Arctic security summit in Finland with Nordic leaders. He fielded questions from the students on both domestic and international matters.
Pressed on how ongoing international conflicts are affecting Germany's economy and tech sector, Merz said Europeans face a prolonged struggle to safeguard their freedom, citing the dangers posed by Russia.
He also defended his government's push to raise defense spending to unprecedented levels, insisting the threat facing Europe is real.
"Sometimes I step back from my desk and think: 'Damn it, what are we actually doing here?' We are spending staggering amounts of money on defense," Merz said.
"Couldn't we do better? Couldn't we put that money to use elsewhere? Yes, of course we could. And I take no pleasure in having to allocate such a large share of the federal budget to defense. If we lived in a peaceful world, we could save a great deal of money."
"But we do not live in a peaceful world. We see the threat to our freedom."
Pushing for European tech independence
Merz also called on Europe to develop its own technological muscle in security and defense, pointing to the recent success of German firm Isar Aerospace, whose Spectrum rocket launched from Norway earlier this month carrying European-built satellites into orbit.
He argued Europe must break away from reliance on American navigation and satellite infrastructure. "We are currently establishing a geostationary satellite system that will make us independent of GPS and Elon Musk," Merz said, referencing the billionaire entrepreneur whose SpaceX controls a dominant share of global commercial launches and satellite networks.
The chancellor further revealed that his own aircraft's navigation system had failed mid-flight to northern Europe after being jammed by Russian forces.
"Some of you here likely know that I am a pilot myself. I don't fly at the moment, but I did for many years," he told the students. "I experienced a situation on a flight to Northern Europe where my entire navigation system failed because the Russians were jamming it. We are now making civil aviation less dependent on such vulnerabilities."
Merz did not specify when the flight took place.
"I was in Finland yesterday, where we held an EU summit on security policy in the Arctic region with the Nordic states. What we were told there did nothing to alleviate my concerns," Merz said.
"We are seeing a massive threat to our entire undersea infrastructure. Russia is currently building a new class of submarines designed to destroy undersea cables, pipelines, and infrastructure," he added.
Merz delivered the remarks at the Chancellery while meeting winners of a youth research competition, fresh off an EU Arctic security summit in Finland with Nordic leaders. He fielded questions from the students on both domestic and international matters.
Pressed on how ongoing international conflicts are affecting Germany's economy and tech sector, Merz said Europeans face a prolonged struggle to safeguard their freedom, citing the dangers posed by Russia.
He also defended his government's push to raise defense spending to unprecedented levels, insisting the threat facing Europe is real.
"Sometimes I step back from my desk and think: 'Damn it, what are we actually doing here?' We are spending staggering amounts of money on defense," Merz said.
"Couldn't we do better? Couldn't we put that money to use elsewhere? Yes, of course we could. And I take no pleasure in having to allocate such a large share of the federal budget to defense. If we lived in a peaceful world, we could save a great deal of money."
"But we do not live in a peaceful world. We see the threat to our freedom."
Pushing for European tech independence
Merz also called on Europe to develop its own technological muscle in security and defense, pointing to the recent success of German firm Isar Aerospace, whose Spectrum rocket launched from Norway earlier this month carrying European-built satellites into orbit.
He argued Europe must break away from reliance on American navigation and satellite infrastructure. "We are currently establishing a geostationary satellite system that will make us independent of GPS and Elon Musk," Merz said, referencing the billionaire entrepreneur whose SpaceX controls a dominant share of global commercial launches and satellite networks.
The chancellor further revealed that his own aircraft's navigation system had failed mid-flight to northern Europe after being jammed by Russian forces.
"Some of you here likely know that I am a pilot myself. I don't fly at the moment, but I did for many years," he told the students. "I experienced a situation on a flight to Northern Europe where my entire navigation system failed because the Russians were jamming it. We are now making civil aviation less dependent on such vulnerabilities."
Merz did not specify when the flight took place.
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