US delegation trip: Rhine: Europe must “grow up” when it comes to defense

Hesse's Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) calls for more European responsibility for defense. «Europe has to grow up. We have to be able to defend ourselves against all those who challenge us,” said Rhein in Washington after a conversation with US Deputy National Security Advisor Mike Needham.

“We know very well that we owe our decades of protection primarily to the military strength of the United States,” added Rhein. “Now it is up to us to take more responsibility for our own safety.”

The Prime Minister explained that Hesse had reacted to the changed security policy situation and was relying on a strong domestic security and defense economy. He referred to the so-called Defense Hub in northern Hesse and the drone competence center at Kassel Airport.

The US military presence in Hesse is of great importance for the security of Germany and Europe, confirmed Rhein and spoke out in favor of continuing the current deployment. “The American armed forces must remain present in Hesse in the future.”

The federal state is home to one of the largest and strategically most important US military locations in all of Europe, which includes the headquarters of the US Army Forces in Europe and Africa and the multinational headquarters NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine.