UPDATE 1-Airbus chair calls on Europe to acquire tactical nuclear weapons

I think that would be a massive sign of deterrence." Responding to a request for comment on Obermann's remarks, a NATO official said the military alliance had not seen a change in Russia's nuclear posture lately.

Airbus chairman Rene Obermann has called on European countries to acquire tactical nuclear weapons in response to the threat posed by Russian Iskander missiles deployed at Kaliningrad that can carry nuclear warheads.

"Our Achilles heel seems to be what Russia threatens us with fairly publicly: That's 500 plus tactical nuclear warheads on Iskander 26 missiles stationed right in front of our door in Kaliningrad, in addition to the newly stationed ones in Belarus," Obermann said at the Berlin Security Conference on Wednesday. "Germany, France, Britain and other willing European member states should agree on a common and staged nuclear deterrence program, including very much so the tactical level. I think that would be a massive sign of deterrence."

Responding to a request for comment on Obermann's remarks, a NATO official said the military alliance had not seen a change in Russia's nuclear posture lately.

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