Increasing Power at the Gulf
BERLIN/KUWAIT CITY (Own report) - Berlin is considering deploying German fighter jets in Kuwait to systematically expand its foothold in this Middle East Emirate. It is not yet clear, whether the Bundeswehr's Tornados, currently participating in the anti-IS war, will be removed from Incirlik Air Base or where they may otherwise be stationed. The Kingdom of Jordan or the British colony on Cyprus (Akrotiri and Dhekelia) may be alternatives. Kuwait is also an option, given the fact that the German government has been intensifying its cooperation with the Emirate for quite some time - not only economically but also with arms deliveries. Increasing the German military presence in Kuwait would raise German-Kuwaiti relations to new heights. The Bundeswehr would also gain another foothold directly at the Persian Gulf. So far, particularly the US, British and French armed forces have a presence in that region.
Base of Anti-IS Operations
In late 2015, Berlin deployed a squadron of the multirole Tornado combat aircraft at the Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey - whose transfer elsewhere is currently in discussion - to participate in the bombing of IS positions in Syria. However, the deployment's international base of operation - which is not covered by any UN mandate - is in Camp Arifjan, a US Army base in southern Kuwait. The Bundeswehr has stationed seven officers at Camp Arifjan to coordinate the German Tornado operations with those of the other participating troops of the anti-IS coalition, noting that "success must be planned."[1] Due to current tension between Germany and Turkey, Berlin is considering an alternative Middle East airbase for its Tornados. One possibility would be Kuwait.[2] A permanent and larger military deployment in this Middle East country would raise German-Kuwaiti relations to new heights.
Deployment without UN-Mandate
This would not be the first deployment of larger Bundeswehr contingents in Kuwait. When - in violation of international law - the US government prepared its aggression against Iraq, the Bundeswehr deployed up to 250 NBC defense personnel and six "Fuchs" armored NBC reconnaissance vehicles to Kuwait to protect western troops against possible Iraqi nuclear, bacteriological, or chemical counter attacks.[3] Immediately prior to the US invasion of Iraq, there had also been rumors that elite soldiers from the German KSK "Special Forces Commando" were making exercises in Kuwait.[4] The German troops in that Gulf emirate were not covered by a UN mandate, but were sent into this crisis region within the framework of the US' "Enduring freedom" anti-terror operation.
Arms Exports
In addition to the Bundeswehr presence, Germany has been cooperating for quite a few years with this Middle East country in the arms sector. Germany has repeatedly delivered arms, particularly machine guns. In 2014, a German arms manufacturer made a presentation of the Boxer Multi-Role Armored Vehicle (MRAV) in the Emirate.[5] Two years later, the German Federal Security Council agreed to export the Fuchs 2 armored transport vehicle to Kuwait "for testing."[6] According to a recent armament report published by the Joint Conference Church and Development (Gemeinsame Konferenz Kirche und Entwicklung GKKE), Kuwait is one of "Germany's most important armament's customers."[7]
High Ranking Visitors
Efforts to intensify relations between the two countries have also been reflected in the increasing number of high ranking German representatives visiting Kuwait over the past few years. In October 2015, Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) Foreign Minister, at the time, visited the Emirate, followed in February 2016 by a Bundestag delegation led by its President Norbert Lammert (CDU). In January 2017, former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) visited Kuwait, in his capacity as Honorary President of the German Near and Middle East Association (NUMOV) and was received by the Emir in person.[8]
A Mega-Deal
For more than 40 years, The Federal Republic of Germany has maintained economic relations with the emirate. In 1974, the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) purchased shares in the German auto manufacturer Daimler-Benz - today Daimler.[9] At the time, that deal was rated "the largest in German economic history."[10] Ten years ago, the Daimler investments notwithstanding, Kuwait was considered a major investor in Germany - also in the real estate branch, in the manufacturing sector and in banking.[11] The German Foreign Ministry currently notes, "Kuwait holds considerable investments in Germany and is a shareholder in distinguished German enterprises."[12]
Economic Perspectives
Kuwaiti companies' investments in Germany are continuing to expand. In August 2016, the German ambassador in Kuwait City announced that Kuwaiti investments in Germany had reached a record high of US $18.3 billion.[13] Within the European Union, Germany is Kuwait's most important trading partner. German companies are increasing their efforts to land new deals in the Emirate. Currently, a German-Kuwaiti consortium - with shares of the Water, Technology, Energy Corp., based in Essen - is competing for a large-scale sewage treatment facility project. The business project is valued at €1.55 billion, with a contract lifespan of 25 years.[14] This past March, the German ambassador signed a visa exemption agreement with the emirate to promote exchange between the two countries.[15]
Military Bases
The expansion of Berlin's activities is not least of interest because it reinforces Germany's foothold at the Persian Gulf - on the whole. Until now, Germany's most important economic relations had been with the United Arab Emirates (trade volume in 2016: €15.5 billion, surpassing that of South Africa) and Saudi Arabia (trade volume in 2016: €8 billion). Since some time, Berlin has been expanding its relations with Qatar. Its close relations with Kuwait will round off Germany's options for gaining influence. Should German Tornados, in fact, be stationed in the Emirate, this would provide Germany another military base at the Persian Gulf alongside the "Air Warfare Center" that it periodically uses in the United Arab Emirates. Until now, the United States, the United Kingdom and France have a presence in the region.
[1] Operation Inherent Resolve: Erfolge müssen geplant werden. einsatz.bundeswehr.de 12.10.2016.
[2] Auswärtiges Amt nennt Verhalten der Türkei "absolut inakzeptabel". welt.de 15.05.2017.
[3] See Deutsche Militäreinsätze im Mittleren Osten.
[4] Angeblich Manöver mit KSK-Soldaten in Kuwait. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung 26.02.2003.
[5] Gerald Traufetter/Horand Knaup: Die Scheichs schaffen an. Der Spiegel 06.10.2014.
[6] Bundesregierung genehmigt Rüstungsdeal mit Saudi-Arabien. zeit.de 06.07.2016.
[7] Rüstungsexportbericht 2015 der GKKE. Bonn/Berlin, Januar 2016, S. 58.
[8] Amir receives former Germany's Chancellor. kuwaittimes.net 18.01.2017.
[9] 40 Jahre Partnerschaft: Daimler und Kuwait Investment Authority feiern Jubiläum. media.daimler.com 18.09.2014.
[10] Michael Heller: Späte Ehre für den stillen Aktionär Kuwait. Stuttgarter Zeitung 18.09.2014.
[11] Mathias Brüggmann: Kuwait will groß in Deutschland investieren. Handelsblatt 13.09.2006.
[12] Kuwait: Beziehungen zu Deutschland. www.auswaertiges-amt.de.
[13] Kuwait investments in Germany hits $18.3 bn. kuwaittimes.net 18.08.2016.
[14] Kuwait investiert in die Wasserwirtschaft. gtai.de 14.04.2017.
[15] Kuwait, Germany ink visa exemption agreement. kuwaittimes.net 13.03.2017.
