Kretschmer Defends the Defense Industry in Saxony

Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) has defended the establishment of defense contractors in the Free State. At the same time, in an interview with the “Sächsische Zeitung” and “Leipziger Zeitung,” he expressed criticism of the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. “It’s not our war. (....) We’ve always said we must not become a party to the war. I would say we have been one for a long time. That is a huge mistake.”

Kretschmer: The best protection is a deterrence scenario

According to Kretschmer, this causes people concern and fear. At the same time, he said, this obscures the realistic view that it is necessary to invest in our own defense capabilities. The best protection, he argued, is a deterrence scenario that prevents an attack on Europe and Germany from the outset. “Missiles flying toward us” must be destroyed. For Kretschmer, this is the reason why the technology for this must be produced here.

MP: Saxony Cannot Do Without the Defense Industry

Given its economic strength, unemployment rate, and wage structure, the Free State cannot rule out such industrial settlements, Kretschmer emphasized. Saxony is not in a position “where we can say, out of luxury, that we’ll do without the defense industry.” As an example, he cited the former Alstom plant in Görlitz, which was taken over by the defense contractor KNDS. Instead of railcars, tank parts are now manufactured there.

Kretschmer’s remarks were prompted by the plans of a young U.S. company that intends to manufacture cruise missiles in Leipzig starting in 2027. This is currently sparking debate.