Free Republic

Germany's defense minister said Friday his country will look into a report that former German air force fighter plane pilots have been training pilots for the Chinese military. News magazine Der Spiegel and public broadcaster ZDF reported Friday that “at least a handful” of former German air force officers are working as trainers in China, and that in several cases they were apparently paid through companies in the Seychelles. They said that such training has been going on for years, that several pilots didn't respond to requests for comment or were unreachable, and that one rejected the allegations.

German newspaper The Local says that Germany’s armed forces (Bundeswehr) are facing deep cuts in the government’s attempt to save nearly €10 billion. The Defence Ministry has drafted a proposal for cuts with the Luftwaffe facing the most drastic reductions – the report says that up to 15 C-160 Transall transporters will be immediately decommissioned and the number of Airbus Military A400Ms reduced from the current requirement of 60, and 100 Tornado fighters will be retired “as soon as possible”, leaving just 85. The Luftwaffe will also not receive the last 37 Eurofighter Typhoons on order. Helicopter numbers will also...