The head of European aerospace giant Airbus, Thomas Enders, lashed out at what he saw as Germany’s risk aversion in matters of defence policy in a magazine interview Wednesday.

“There’s a tendency in this country to duck away and hide behind partners,” Enders told Cicero in a pre-release of interview to be published in its latest edition on Thursday. . . .

“No one is more committed than we Germans when it comes to talking about the need for a common defence architecture,” the Airbus chief said.

“But as soon as it becomes concrete, then we all too frequently shrink back, citing national sensitivities,” he said. . . .

“How can there be a European defence worthy of that name when the economically strongest country in the centre of Europe does not shoulder responsibility and share the leadership in defence and make a suitable contribution,” he asked.

Image: Airbus CEO Thomas Enders at the Atlantic Council, April 30, 2014