German Chancellor In Favour Of 'European Aircraft Carrier'

Angela Merkel noted that Germany and France are already working together on a future European combat aircraft​​​​​​ (Picture: US Department of Defense).

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has endorsed the idea of developing a joint European aircraft carrier.

The idea was suggested by her party's leader, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who succeeded Ms Merkel in December as leader of the Christian Democratic Union.

She made the suggestion at the weekend in response to French President Emmanuel Macron's proposals for European Union reform.

It follows talk previously of a 'European Army' by leaders including President Macron, who last year said Europe needed to build up its own military because it can no longer depend on the US for defence.

His comments angered US President Donald Trump, leading to the two leaders meeting in Paris to try and diffuse tensions.

Ms Merkel noted that Germany and France are already working together on a future European combat aircraft.

She said that "the next step could be to start on the symbolic project of building a common European aircraft carrier" to underline the EU's global security role.

Ms Merkel said that "it's right and good that we have such equipment on the European side, and I'm happy to work on it".

But she added that "we have to do other things as a priority".