According to local media, the fuel used by the German Tornado fleet appears to have been mixed with ‘too much bio-diesel’.

According to news site Frankfurter Allgemeine, this was noticed during a routine check last Monday:

“The tolerance values ​​are minimally exceeded,” said Colonel Kristof Conrath of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 51. “It’s not that the aircraft would fall from the sky. For safety reasons, all tanks of the aircraft must be flushed.”

It is understood that this breakdown is particularly annoying for the Luftwaffe, as training of new Tornado pilots is already three months behind.

This comes after we reported that The German military is under-equipped to take on its upcoming role as leader of NATO’s Russian-aimed Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.

The Bundeswehr is due to take over leadership of NATO’s multinational Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) at the start of next year, but doesn’t have enough tanks, a leaked Defence Ministry document said.

Specifically, the Bundeswehr’s ninth tank brigade in Münster only has nine operational Leopard 2 tanks — even though it promised to have 44 ready for the VJTF — and only three of the promised 14 Marder armored infantry vehicles.

The paper also revealed the reason for this shortfall: a lack of spare parts and the high cost and time needed to maintain the vehicles. It added that it was also lacking night-vision equipment, automatic grenade launchers, winter clothing and body armor.

The German air force is also struggling to cover its NATO duties, the document revealed. The Luftwaffe’s main forces — the Eurofighter and Tornado fighter jets and its CH-53 transport helicopters — are only available for use an average of four months a year — the rest of the time the aircraft are grounded for repairs and rearmament.

 

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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IvanOwl
IvanOwl
6 years ago

Germany, an inspiration to Russia’s new Sun Tzu policy of not having to do anything to an enemy’s forces…
All submarines and most frigates are out of commission, due to repairs and faulty equipment.
Most Leopard MBT’s and Marder IFVs out of commission due to lack of spares.
All Tornado’s have the wrong fuel in their tanks and are now out of commission.
Ursula von der Leyen.. now might be a very good time to stop posing for photo opportunities – and actually get to work on giving your forces what they need.
Embarrassing… very very embarrassing

farouk
farouk
6 years ago
Reply to  IvanOwl

Whilst I don’t wish to come across as sexist. This picture says a lot about the difference between Europe and Russia:
https://theuglytruth.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/defense-minister.jpg

Paul.P
Paul.P
6 years ago
Reply to  farouk

Indeed. Although not inviolable, as a general rule I tend to the view that countries tend to prosper when females are in charge and assert themselves. One thinks of Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Margaret Thatcher, Isabel of Spain. And I feel certain the UK would be a happier place if our constitution had allowed our present and very wise queen to prevent parliament passing some of its more dubious legislation. The Russian face says it all. They don’t get out much.

Steven
Steven
6 years ago
Reply to  farouk

When reality punches these idiotic idealists in the face it won’t be pretty for any of us.

Paul.P
Paul.P
6 years ago
Reply to  Steven

It looks like reality has already hit the Russian guy. His wife has probably told him not to be late home.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
6 years ago
Reply to  Steven

So so so true.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
6 years ago
Reply to  farouk

I knew what photo that would be before I clicked.

Jack
Jack
6 years ago
Reply to  IvanOwl

Germany seems to be completing with Argentina in allowing it’s armed forces to fall into complete disuse.

andy reeves
andy reeves
6 years ago
Reply to  IvanOwl

apology for a change of tac here but if readers here wre to google amarg inventory, you’ll see where the r.a.f budget might be better spent.

Clare Clare Hartley
Clare Clare Hartley
5 years ago
Reply to  IvanOwl

It’ would be a problem for British fighters since it looks like that due to a no deal brexit, Germany, with all UK planes grounded, would have to rely on France and other EU countries for itsl defence from the air.

Harry bulpit
Harry bulpit
6 years ago

I thought that German tornado training was in the states, so how would this effect new pilot training.

Julian1
Julian1
6 years ago
Reply to  Harry bulpit

It’s just moves back to Germany, see AFM March

Mike Saul
Mike Saul
6 years ago

Twenty years of inadequate defence spending by Germany and other NATO has created a huge deficit in warfighting capability, if it was not for the USAs NATO commitment the continent would no viable defence strategy.

Ian
Ian
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike Saul

Not much of a Trump fan but on this he’s dead right.

Europe must stop taking the **** and step up to the plate.

That includes us, we’ve just not got as far to climb.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
6 years ago
Reply to  Ian

Bang on. Trump is right about MANY things in fact. I don’t like some of what he says but boy yes often he’s right.

But lefties always have one rule for Trump and one for everything else.

Chris
Chris
6 years ago

Daniele – I am waiting for the early morning Trump Tweet informing Europe he is pulling all US Forces back to the UK. THAT would set the hounds running in Brussels and Paris …

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris

God yes.

AV
AV
6 years ago

Trump seems so blunt on many issues but love him for it even if I don’t agree with everything he says.
He’s a corrective measure generated from far too many years of the progressive left .
I think what has happened is simple:
The middle ground has been corrected and has caught both the left and right out.

Nathan
Nathan
6 years ago
Reply to  AV

Trump is not a diplomat and he tells unpleasant home truths openly. Sophisticated society is so used to being lied to that it can’t actually stomach the butter truth.

Easier to demand gun control than accept most of these killers come from dysfunctional families and are on powerful psychoactive drugs. This way flakey liberals can push their progressive agenda without ever having to own up to and take responsibility for the shit thier social policies have caused.

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
6 years ago

100% correct Ian. The Germans turn all their money into national investment and infrastructure. They economically beat us hands down because of that. No £14 billion a year given away in foreign aid. They cream off the rest of the EU and use the Euro as a devalued currency (compared to what would have happened if Germany had retain the deutschmark) to drive German growth and economic prosperity. Under invest in the insurance policy that is their armed forces and this is the result. Hardly a militarily viable ally when their entire offensive airforce, submarine and most of their frigate… Read more »

David Steeper
6 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

And French feet.

Chris
Chris
6 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Mr bell – I am no German apologist and feel it has manipulated EU Policy and Currency Union for its sole benefit at the cost of others. which shows just how utterly self serving and disgraceful their lack of military spending has become. However I must gently mention this quote regarding Foreign Aid: “A massive aid recipient half a century ago, Germany is now the third largest donor for official development assistance, after the United States and the United Kingdom” Last figures available (2015) show the UK @ $18.7 Bn and Germany @ $17.8 Bn for spending on Foreign Aid.… Read more »

AV
AV
6 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Agree Chris, but must be taken in context of the respective countries GDP.
The figures look somewhat different when you compare UK & German GDP.

Nathan
Nathan
6 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

And this is why we are better off out. The EU is just a political vehicle for allowing German dominance of the continent without having to really do anything. In my opinion, Germany is slowly imploding. Their military is just one example of a society in a state of slow mo collapse. At a footy game recently between a Polish and German team, the supporters of the former unfurled a banner declaring: defend your women not Polish democracy. Even Germany’s much vaunted industry is struggling… Whether it’s an airport 10 years overdue or dieselgate. On all fronts German dominance seems… Read more »

Nick
Nick
6 years ago

All we hear and see is the fingers up to anyone outside of the Reich.
It is an insult to our stretched armed forces that we have to cover such
a useless country. New oil pipe line and a seat in the Kremlin for all German
politicians is the norm l believe. We are not Europeans thank god . One of
the few things Trump is right NATO is a joke and we should get out of that
as well. We do not need it, Germany does but expects us to pay for it.

Tony
Tony
6 years ago

First not enough modern tanks leading many to be withdrawn, secondly no submarine deterrence after they too were put out of action and now Germany’s closest thing to a 5th generation aircraft is being grounded. Seriously Merkel where on earth were your priorities? It seems now all the Germans have for the worst possible outbreak of war is to send their already evermore fibre glass plastic faux leather Bmw’s, Audi’s and Mercedes into action but don’t worry many come with sport mode!

Christopher Fox
Christopher Fox
6 years ago

I know it sounds extreme but threaten Germany being thrown out of NATO. It’s about mutual security and they’re not pulling their weight. So why should the rest of the NATO countries defend them.

Paul.P
Paul.P
6 years ago

The German’s pacifist stance needs to change. Whilst I empathise with their reluctance to return, as they would see it, to a militaristic international posture they are really now in a state of I’m alright Jack denial regarding the threat from Putin. He is waiting for the EU’s defence ambitions to undermine NATO. Macron and Merkel are running with the hare and hunting with the hounds. I was pleased to read that Merkel and May had agreed to a defence and security pact outside the Brexit negotiations. We need a much more assertive response to Putins asymmetric tactics. New TV… Read more »

Julian1
Julian1
6 years ago

perhaps a ready source of spares to run the GR4 fleet on…just a thought

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
6 years ago
Reply to  Julian1

Ha!

AV
AV
6 years ago
Reply to  Julian1

Think you’ll find they’ll be buying our spares on the GR4 retirement…although bet my bottom dollar that date will be extended.

trackback

[…] ​​are minimally exceeded," Colonel Kristof Conrath of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 51 was quoted as saying in media reports. "It's not that the aircraft would fall from the sky. For safety […]

trackback

[…] minimally exceeded," Colonel Kristof Conrath of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 51 was quoted as saying in media reports. "It's not that the aircraft would fall from the sky. For […]

trackback

[…] minimally exceeded,” Colonel Kristof Conrath of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 51 was quoted as saying in media reports. “It’s not that the aircraft would fall from the sky. For […]

trackback

[…] minimally exceeded,” Colonel Kristof Conrath of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 51 was quoted as saying in media reports. “It’s not that the aircraft would fall from the […]

trackback

[…] minimally exceeded,” Colonel Kristof Conrath of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 51 was quoted as saying in media reports. “It’s not that the aircraft would fall from the sky. For […]

trackback

[…] minimally exceeded,” Colonel Kristof Conrath of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 51 was quoted as saying in media reports. “It’s not that the aircraft would fall from the sky. For […]

Charles Hutchins
Charles Hutchins
6 years ago

There are many reasons for Germany’s deterioration of it’s armed forces. First,it’s purposely underfunded by it’s own government.Secondly, conscription was eliminated and draws on volunteers, but fails to meet quotas.Thirdly, its restricted in treaties by short-sighted politicians to limited numbers and weapons. Lastly, there are anti-nationalist, anti-patriotic, and anti-military elements in German society that contributing to its weaken state. I also may add that Frau Leyden.has not worn a uniform in the Bundeswehr and has no business being a defence minister. Until this woman is removed from office and the issues are addressed, then the German armed forces will surrender… Read more »

BushidoUK
BushidoUK
6 years ago

Maybe we’re all just missing the point.
Degrade your military to such a level that then you can sell the federalised EU Army/Navy/Air Force
to the rest of Europe, ensuring they pay to keep you safe. Perhaps they see the writing is on the wall for NATO as they will want more countries to “step up” to their commitments.
This way they can dominate even more of the European integration strategy.

Chris
Chris
6 years ago

The Luftwaffe can have all our superbly maintained and fully working ex RAF Tornados next year.

Oh wait no ….

They don’t actually do attacking people these days do they ….

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
6 years ago

Chris…do you actually want Germany to start being more militarily aggressive? Personally no, too many lives were lost defeating Germany in 2 World Wars. I would however much prefer that they actually contributed something to NATOs collective defence. Or here is an alternative idea if unwilling. How about paying ukplc back some of the hundreds of billions £ we have spent since WW2 garrisoning Germany and keeping our armed forces there even to this bloody day. That is never going to happen. And then the EU say we owe them a divorce bill. Give me a break the whole lot… Read more »

Chris
Chris
6 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Mr Bell – Are we not ‘attacking’ Isis / Daesh in Iraq and Syria? I specifically used that word as that is what NATO does as a combined body when needed. Except Germany doesn’t. No I do not want a militarily aggressive Germany in Europe again but neither have I wanted a financially and economically aggressive Germany either but that is what we have had for more than 20 years. Now if Germany wants the economic, trade and financial benefits of freedom then it must be prepared to pay for the defence of that freedom and not, as Germany and… Read more »

Mac
Mac
6 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

If it kicks off in Europe you will see that Germany is an Ally, how good an Ally is up for debate. I wish people would move on from WW1 and WW2 when referring to modern day UK and DE.

Lewis
Lewis
6 years ago

And I thought the MOD was bad…

David Steeper
6 years ago
Reply to  Lewis

It still is. But not quite the worst. Wow they’ll probably use that in their next ad campaign !

Steve Salt
Steve Salt
6 years ago

Hi folks, a question.
Why are the Germans putting bio-diesel in JP 7 jet fuel in the 1st place ?

trackback

[…] According to a report by UK Defence Journal, the German Luftwaffe’s force of Tornado IDS strike aircraft has been grounded. The reason? Too much biodiesel in the fuel mix. As a result, these potent strike aircraft are out of action until their fuel tanks can be flushed, new-pilot training is now three months behind schedule, and the Germans may not be able to lead the NATO force slated to counter Russian aggression, the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, next year. […]

trackback

[…] According to a report by UK Defence Journal, the German Luftwaffe’s force of Tornado IDS strike aircraft has been grounded. The reason? Too much biodiesel in the fuel mix. As a result, these potent strike aircraft are out of action until their fuel tanks can be flushed, new-pilot training is now three months behind schedule, and the Germans may not be able to lead the NATO force slated to counter Russian aggression, the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, next year. […]

trackback

[…] training schedule by three months. In February 2018, the German air force even temporarily grounded the Tornado fleet because of improperly-mixed fuel. These multi-role fighters need to be […]

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5 years ago

[…] It seems modern fighter aircraft are rather sensitive to what you put in their fuel tanks. […]