German army critically under-resourced despite large investments in recent years
Germany's armed forces still have "too little of everything" despite the large-scale and expensive reconstruction launched after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This was stated on Tuesday by Eva Hegl, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces.
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Hegl said that the Bundeswehr still has "too little of everything", even after the launch of large-scale reforms. A €100bn special fund has helped improve recruitment, develop infrastructure and speed up arms purchases, but it is almost exhausted.
"It takes time to buy tanks, ships and planes or to modernise entire barracks," she said.
A German Leopard 2A8 tank. Illustration: Бундесвер
At the same time, the results are "not yet visible or measurable". The report notes that an increase in the regular defence budget is needed to complete the projects that have been started. Hegl compared the Bundeswehr's renewal to turning a "tanker" around, which takes a long time.
"To complete or continue important projects started through the special fund, it is necessary to increase the regular defence budget," the report concludes.
Particular attention is paid to the need for additional investments to improve infrastructure and increase the number of personnel. The threat of a possible change in US policy after Donald Trump's return to the White House has made European countries think about more sustainable security guarantees.
Opposition leader Friedrich Merz is proposing to change budgetary constraints to increase defence spending, but his initiative is facing resistance in parliament.
Source: The Defence Post
