Bremen mayor advocates for government funding of space program: Bovenschulte's stance
In the heart of Germany, Bremen proudly bears the title of 'The City of Space', with a thriving aerospace industry that employs over 12,000 people across more than 140 companies and 20 institutes. The sector is of significant importance to the city, as highlighted by Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte at the recent "Airconnect" conference.
Currently, the focus is on the future of the Airbus A400M, a military transporter that plays a crucial role in the city's aerospace industry. The Airbus A400M is undergoing an expansion and upgrade phase, with production set to increase to 8 units per year until at least 2029. By May 2025, 131 A400Ms have been delivered out of the 178 originally ordered.
Operationally, the French Air Force recently declared Full Operational Capability (FOC) for its A400M fleet, marking a significant milestone. The A400M has demonstrated key operational capabilities such as precision landings on short, unprepared runways and rapid response in humanitarian missions.
Looking ahead, Airbus is actively developing major upgrades for the A400M, including converting it into a drone "mothership" launch platform, integrating it into a multi-domain combat cloud network, and exploring payload increases to 40 tonnes. These advancements are expected to enhance the A400M's capabilities in electronic warfare, precision strike, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) deployment.
Mayor Bovenschulte has been vocal about his concerns for the future of the Airbus A400M in Bremen, particularly in relation to industrial employment, economic stability, and technological leadership in the city's aerospace sector. He has demanded secure production commitments and innovation investments to safeguard Bremen's role in the defense and aerospace industry.
The mayor's concerns are shared by other federal states, as they also rely on the aerospace industry. Aerospace is considered a federal task, and individual federal states cannot afford their own aerospace programs. Bovenschulte has also called on the federal government to continue providing funds for space travel, emphasising the need for security for the Airbus A400M.
The future of the Airbus A400M in Bremen will be a key topic at the ESA Ministerial Council Conference, scheduled to take place in Bremen in 2024. Bovenschulte has expressed concern that Germany might contribute less to European aerospace at the 2024 conference than it did at the last one in Paris in 2022.
Despite the profit of four billion euros in 2023, Airbus does not seem to be initiating the necessary entrepreneurial processes to move away from state-funded aerospace towards more competition. Bovenschulte holds Airbus's corporate management accountable for the high losses in the aerospace sector.
In summary, the future of the Airbus A400M in Bremen is of paramount importance to the city's aerospace industry and economy. The mayor's demands for secure production commitments, innovation investments, and technological advancements aim to ensure continued industrial activity and future prospects for Bremen's aeronautical workforce and economy. The upcoming ESA Ministerial Council Conference in Bremen in 2024 will provide an opportunity to address these concerns and shape the future of European aerospace.
- The mayoral concerns in Bremen extend beyond just the Airbus A400M, as they also encompass the city's broader aerospace sector, including science, finance, and industry.
- With Airbus actively developing major upgrades for the A400M, such as its conversion into a drone launch platform and integration into a multi-domain combat cloud network, the space-and-astronomy sector in Bremen stands to benefit greatly.
- The future of the aerospace industry in Bremen and other federal states is a key focus for Mayor Bovenschulte, who has advocated for continued financing from the federal government and private sector investment in technological innovations.
