Germany’s military readiness is under significant scrutiny as the head of military procurement outlined a three-year timeline for acquiring essential equipment to counter potential Russian aggression against NATO territories. Annette Lehnigk-Emden emphasized the urgency of enhancing Germany’s defense capabilities, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Lehnigk-Emden stated that by 2028, the military must have obtained all necessary resources to ensure effective national defense. The chief of defense, General Carsten Breuer, recently indicated the looming threat of a possible “large-scale attack” from Russia, especially targeting NATO’s Baltic member states, with concerns that such a scenario could arise as early as 2029. Breuer pointed to a concerning accumulation of Russian military assets, including ammunition and tanks, as indicative of this threat.
The government’s commitment to bolstering Germany’s military is underscored by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s allocation of hundreds of billions of euros towards defense reform. This financial commitment aims to facilitate the procurement of heavy military equipment, which includes advanced systems like the Skyranger anti-aircraft tanks. Merz’s administration is focused on transforming the German military into “the most powerful conventional army in Europe,” a significant shift in policy that builds on rearmament efforts initiated by the previous government under Olaf Scholz.
In a related development, U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified calls for NATO members to increase their defense spending to five percent of GDP, a substantial increase from the current two percent benchmark, prompting further discussion about defense budgets among member nations.
Moreover, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the necessity for expanding troop numbers, announcing the need for an additional 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers to adequately address NATO’s escalating defense needs. Currently, the German army has over 180,000 personnel, with aspirations to increase that number to more than 203,000 by 2031.
This concerted push for military enhancement reflects shifting priorities within Germany and NATO as they grapple with emerging threats in the current security landscape.
