TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
No Result
View All Result
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

After France, Germany jumps in to cash in on USA’s Middle East retreat

Vikrant Thardak by Vikrant Thardak
December 25, 2021
in Central Asia
France, USA, Germany, Biden, Macron, Olaf
Share on FacebookShare on X

Middle East is up for grabs after the USA’s exit; that’s what at least China had envisioned. However, France and Russia have so far proven to be great impediments in China’s way to the Middle East’s throne. And like this was not enough, another great power now has also revealed its intention to enter the Middle Eastern arena. If reports are to be believed, Germany is in the works to provide the Egyptian Army with 16 IRIS-T SL medium-range air defence missile systems from the German Diehl Defence Company.

Merkel administration’s urgent deal with Egypt

As per a Middle East Monitor report, the former German administration under Angela Merkel had shown unusual urgency in pursuing the deal. Just a day before Olaf Scholz’s assumption as the new German Chancellor, former Economy Minister Peter Altmaier had sent a letter to the President of German parliament Bundestag. In this letter, the weapon deal between Egypt and Germany was disclosed.

Also Read

Now France has a major power outage at Cannes, is Europe going backwards?

‘Ban the Nordstream’ German Chancellor Merz backs sanctions on Russian pipeline

Why Are Knife Attacks Spiking in Germany? The Pattern No One Wants to See

Also read: France, Japan, UK, and India: All of the USA’s allies are rejecting it under Biden

The letter mentioned that three MEKO A-200 EN frigates from Kiel-based ThyssenKrupp Marine System and 16 air defence systems from Diehl Defence Company will be provided to the Egyptian Army under the weapon deal. Considering Egypt’s proactive involvement in the Libyan peace process and its support to General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) against the Turkey-backed government in Tripoli, the defence missile deal can also be seen as Germany’s indirect involvement in the Libyan conflict.

Germany’s defence market in the Middle East

Mind the fact that Egypt is Germany’s biggest defence partner in the Middle East. As per data accessed by TFI Global, the German government signed arms deals with Middle Eastern governments worth $1.16 billion through 2020, of which weapon deals worth $752 million involved Germany’s arms exports to Egypt only. Other major defence partners were Qatar (deals worth $305.1 million), the UAE ($51 million), and Kuwait ($23.4 million).

Also read: Germany didn’t take 1 day to turn into a China Hawk after China Dove Merkel’s departure

It is no secret that Germany wants to raise its stakes in the Middle Eastern arena after the USA’s departure. The influx of several major powers including Russia, France and China has already started. Interestingly, the recent Germany-Egypt weapon deal came hot on the heels of France’s Rafale fighter jet deal with the UAE disclosed earlier this month.

France-UAE deal prompted Germany to pursue Egypt deal?

In early December, the United Arab Emirates placed an order for 80 Rafale fighter jets and 12 military helicopters, strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with France through a 17 billion euro ($19.20 billion) arms purchase. It was during his recent two-day tour to the Gulf that the largest ever foreign sale of the French warplane was signed. This must have raised red flags in Germany, which also cherishes ambitions of developing its defence market in the region. So, the Merkel administration rushed through the deal with Egypt despite her impending departure.

Also read: China is eyeing the Middle East like a power-thirsty predator but France is killing Xi Jinping’s dreams

How shall the new German administration pursue the deal?

As far as the new Scholz administration is concerned, it won’t have any qualms in pursuing the weapon deal with Egypt. Olaf Scholz has shown his will to stand up to the Chinese menace, unlike his predecessor — Angela Merkel. This means that Germany will strive to strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific and the Middle Eastern region.

This became evident after Germany’s Navy Chief’s recent remarks. Noah Barkin, a China expert, reported on Twitter, “Germany Navy Chief Schoönbach says the next time Germany sends a warship to the Indo-Pacific he will recommend that it go through the Taiwan Strait.” As it appears, even the German defence establishment has gotten emboldened after Merkel’s exit from the helm. So, we can expect more such bold moves from the German administration as well as its military regime.

Germany Navy Chief Schoönbach says the next time Germany sends a warship to the Indo-Pacific he will recommend that it go through the Taiwan Strait @chiefdeunavy @IISS_org

— Noah Barkin (@noahbarkin) December 21, 2021

Also read: ‘Send warships to Taiwan strait’, The new German leadership confirms China’s biggest fears

By strengthening its presence in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East, Germany wants to fulfil its two major interests. Firstly, it wants to give Paris tough competition in its pursuit of arms deals and defence partnerships in both regions. Secondly, it wants to move past the shadows of the pro-China Merkel administration and grow up as a force multiplier for the democratic world. In both of the cases, however, China remains the biggest loser.

Tags: Angela MerkelChinaEmmanuel MacronFranceGermanyJoe BidenMENAMiddle EastOlaf ScholzUSAXi Jinping
ShareTweetSend
Vikrant Thardak

Vikrant Thardak

I see truth

Also Read

Kazakhstan Unveils New Visa Options for Skilled Professionals and Digital Nomads

Kazakhstan Unveils New Visa Options for Skilled Professionals and Digital Nomads

February 13, 2025
Zelensky now wants a peace deal with savage Orban

Zelensky now wants a peace deal with savage Orban

November 1, 2024
Xi Jinping's military purge

Xi Jinping’s Military Purge Revealed: China’s Missile Crisis Exposed!

January 19, 2024
The Undercover war for Central Asia 

The Undercover war for Central Asia 

June 29, 2023
Central Asia Iran

Iran spoils West’s ‘Central Asian’ party

March 28, 2023
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Kazakh President Tokayev is biting off more than he can chew

March 22, 2023
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobalTFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • TFIPOST – English
  • TFIPOST हिन्दी
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.