By Wang Min

王敏

Recently, Germany has officially decided to purchase the Precise & Universal Launching System (PULS) Rocket Launcher Artillery Systems produced by Israel's Elbit Systems to replace its active US-made MARS 2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Analysts believe this move reflects a new trend among European nations actively seeking strategic autonomy in the defense sector.

近日，德国正式决定采购以色列埃尔比特公司生产的多管火箭炮系统，以取代其现役的美制MARS2火箭炮系统。分析人士认为，此举折射出欧洲国家在防务领域积极寻求战略自主的新动向。

The MARS 2 MLRS is the German variant of the US M270 MLRS, utilizing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets made by Lockheed Martin, with a range of approximately 80 kilometers. For a long time, US military-industrial enterprises have ensured profits by selling "weapons + ammunition" bundles, causing European countries heavily dependent on US arms dealers.

MARS2火箭炮系统是美国M270火箭炮系统的德国版，使用美国洛克希德·马丁公司生产的GMLRS火箭弹，射程可达约80公里。长期以来，美国军工企业通过捆绑销售“武器+弹药”的方式来确保利润，并以此控制用户，让从美国大量采购武器的欧洲国家对美国军火商形成严重依赖。

Following Germany's announcement of its procurement plan, Lockheed Martin also entered the competition with its new Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS) MLRS. However, Israel's rocket system has a key advantage: it can launch rockets of various calibers produced by different manufacturers. This would allow Germany to work with European defense companies in developing and producing ammunition, reducing dependence on US-made GMLRS rockets. To some extent, Germany's deeper consideration behind purchasing Israeli systems is to force the US to open up its technical standards, thereby promoting diversification in Europe's arms and ammunition supply chain.

此次德国宣布采购计划后，洛克希德•马丁公司也带着新产品GMARS火箭炮系统参与竞争。与之相比，以色列生产的火箭炮系统具有一个关键优势：能发射不同制造商生产的多种口径火箭弹。德国便可联合欧洲本土军工企业研制生产弹药，减少对美制GMLRS火箭弹的依赖。某种程度上说，德国决定采购以色列产品的深层次考量是倒逼美国开放技术标准，从而推动欧洲军火弹药供应链实现多元化。

To safeguard its interests, Lockheed Martin has publicly stated that if Germany wanted to use its GMLRS rockets in stock, it had no choice but to use the GMARS rocket artillery system. Last year, the company also updated the technical standards to further bind the GMLRS rockets to the US-made launch platform. This means that the Israeli rocket artillery system purchased by Germany cannot launch GMLRS rockets at all.

为维护自身利益，洛克希德•马丁公司曾公开表示，“如果德国想使用库存的GMLRS火箭弹，除了GMARS火箭炮系统别无选择”。去年该公司还更新了技术标准，将GMLRS火箭弹与美制发射平台进一步绑定。这意味着德国从以色列采购的火箭炮系统根本无法发射GMLRS火箭弹。

However, the US strategy has not deterred Germany from purchasing Israeli products. On the one hand, Germany still possesses dozens of MARS 2 systems to launch its existing stock of GMLRS rockets. On the other hand, Germany is actively negotiating with the US to relax technical restrictions as it believes that the US might ease limitations to promote the sales of GMLRS rockets. Meanwhile, Germany also plans to rely on its domestic and European defense industries to produce rockets to further reduce uncertainties caused by dependence on a single US ammunition supply chain.

美国的做法并未能阻止德国选择以色列的产品。一方面，德国仍拥有数十套MARS2火箭炮系统，足以发射库存的GMLRS火箭弹。另一方面，德国正积极与美国就放开技术标准展开谈判，德国认为美国可能会出于推销GMLRS火箭弹的考虑放宽技术限制。同时，德国也打算依靠本国和欧洲军工企业生产火箭弹，进一步减小依赖美国单一弹药供应链带来的不确定性。

In high-tech warfare, rocket launchers are not standalone combat units but must be deeply integrated with other military forces. Germany's decision to purchase a non-US system also reflects its consideration to build an independent European combat system.

高技术战争中，火箭炮系统并非独立作战单元，而是需要与其他作战力量深度联通。德国选择非美国产品，也有推动欧洲构建独立作战体系的考量。

Germany's decision is not a unique instance, but has its counterpart. Calls for greater strategic autonomy within Europe have been growing louder since the beginning of this year. Earlier this month, European Union leaders held an informal meeting in Brussels, where European Council President António Costa said in a press conference that it was the first time EU leaders had convened specifically to discuss defense issues, which reflected the urgency of building a stronger and more independent European security system.

德国此次的选择不是孤立事件。进入新年度以来，欧洲内部要求加强战略自主的呼声不断高涨。本月初，欧盟领导人在布鲁塞尔举行非正式会议。欧洲理事会主席科斯塔在会后的新闻发布会上说，这是欧盟领导人首次举行专门讨论防务问题的会议，体现了建立更强大、更独立的欧洲安全体系的紧迫性。

However, Europe's path to defense autonomy will not be smooth. In the future, the US may impose further restrictions on key technology transfers or exert pressure within the NATO framework to further coerce Europe in defense and security. Currently, Europe remains dependent on the US in many areas. Given the complex factors, Europe's path to defense autonomy is filled with obstacles.

然而，欧洲的防务自主之路并非坦途。未来，美国可能通过限制关键技术转让、在北约框架内施压等方式，进一步在防务安全领域裹挟欧洲。当前，欧洲在诸多领域对美国存在依赖，结合多方面因素来看，欧洲走向防务自主可谓难关重重。