The Quest for Relevant Air Power

152 │ GERMAN Air Force
disposal for the conduct of major air operations. 5 The 1985 Defence
White Book unambiguously stated that the German armed
forces could accomplish their tasks solely in the context of NATO. 6
Up to the unification of Germany, the bulk of the German
armed forces was solely geared towards territorial defence, and
out-of-area operations were primarily relegated to humanitarian
missions, with GAF transport aircraft shouldering the main burden.
7 Along with the integration of the remnants of the East German
armed forces, this led to significant challenges in the post–
Cold War era, when out-of-area operations became one of the
predominant tasks of European armed forces. Only gradually did
German decision makers respond to the demands of the post–
Cold War era.
How Has the German Air Force Adapted to
the Uncertainties Created by Shifting
Defence and Alliance Policies?
This section first analyses German post–Cold War defence
policy and the GAF’s response to it. It then analyses Germany’s
alliance context and its influence on the GAF.
Defence Policy
Throughout the 1990s, German defence policy was basically articulated
by two key documents, the 1992 Defence Policy Guidelines
and the 1994 Defence White Book. The period was characterised
by the adherence to two traditional principles: territorial
defence and universal conscription. Yet, Germany’s allies would
have expected it to contribute to peace and stability in accordance
with its political and economic weight.
In 1999 the newly elected left-wing government initiated a military
reform. 8 This resulted in a progressive report by an independent
commission, known as the Weizsäcker Commission. 9 Defence
Minister Rudolf Scharping, who regarded the Weizsäcker
Commission report as too progressive, finally came up with his
own, more moderate reform proposal, which was approved by the
government on 14 June 2000. 10 Only in the wake of 11 September,
and due to the continuing imbalance between available means