Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks and Benedikt Zimmer, Germany’s state secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defense, met at the Pentagon yesterday to reaffirm the U.S.-German bilateral relationship, a Defense Department spokesman said.
“Meetings like these with partners and allies help to build and reinforce the vital relationships which enable our missions worldwide. Today’s meeting with our German allies really reinforced the value of our shared security relationship,” spokesman Eric Pahon said.
The two leaders exchanged views on defense and security priorities, including Afghanistan, the Indo-Pacific region, Russia and NATO. Hicks also shared updates on ongoing U.S. strategic reviews.
“[It was a] great meeting today with State Secretary Benedikt Zimmer. We discussed a range of shared security interests with our NATO ally, including support for the NATO alliance, Indo-Pacific security, space and emerging tech,” the deputy secretary said in a tweet.
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks hosts German State Secretary for Defense Benedikt Zimmer at the Pentagon, Sept. 23, 2021. © Lisa Ferdinando, DOD
She also thanked him for Germany’s support in evacuation operations in Afghanistan and Germany.
Hicks congratulated Zimmer on Germany’s decision to acquire five U.S. P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, which will increase German capabilities to address shared security concerns, Pahon said.
The Boeing P-8 is a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft, excelling at anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and search and rescue, according to a Boeing website. The P-8 can fly high — up to 41,000 feet, and “get to the fight faster” at 490 knots, the site noted.
German State Secretary for Defense Benedikt Zimmer signs the guestbook before meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks at the Pentagon, Sept. 23, 2021. © Lisa Ferdinando, DOD
