Political Debate

In the spring of 2020, the German Ministry of Defense announced plans to replace current delivery systems by purchasing 30 F-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft. In an interview in early May 2020, SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich fundamentally questioned technical nuclear sharing. An intensive public debate among experts and politicians followed.

The following list contains some of the most frequent arguments for and against a continuation of technical nuclear sharing without evaluation or factual review. Its main objective is to provide readers with an insight into different positions.

Arguments in favor

Arguments against

In addition to the substantive points, the political discussion also dealt with the question of whether nuclear weapons withdrawal could even be discussed. Some authors took the position that the debate alone would already weaken Germany’s position vis-à-vis new threats, for example from Russia. Others made it clear that such a debate is part of democratic decision-making and called for greater transparency.