Airbus Chief Urges European Countries to Arm Themselves With Tactical Nuclear Weapons

René Obermann, the head of the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, has called on European countries to equip themselves with tactical nuclear weapons. His statement came in response to the threat posed by Russia’s Iskander missiles, which are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

According to Obermann, Russia is openly threatening Europe with its Iskander missiles deployed in Kaliningrad, Reuters reports.

“Our Achilles’ heel, it seems, is what Russia is quite openly threatening us with: more than 500 tactical nuclear warheads on Iskander missiles, stationed right on our doorstep in Kaliningrad, as well as those recently deployed in Belarus,” Obermann said on Wednesday, November 19, speaking at the Berlin Security Conference.

In September, Russia deployed Iskander-M systems in the Kaliningrad region, aiming them toward Warsaw. The Airbus chief noted that Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and other concerned states should develop a joint nuclear deterrence program against Russia.

A NATO representative, commenting on Obermann’s statement, stressed that the alliance has recently ‘not observed any changes in Russia’s nuclear policy.’

In Europe, the only countries that possess nuclear weapons are France and the United Kingdom. The former has nearly 300 nuclear warheads, and the latter around 250. Germany is already holding ‘strategic talks’ with France on the conditions under which Paris might expand its nuclear umbrella.