Germany is increasing up in Europe to be 1 of the biggest defence investors. The purchases of arms are to be faster and simpler, and the underinvested Bundeswehr over the years is to become the strongest army of the Old Continent. Although the German press comments that this will not be an easy task, ‘Zeitenwende’ in Berlin's defence policy becomes a fact.
After planet War II, the memory of Nazi crimes and the fear of a repeat of past were strong in German society. No wonder pacifism became 1 of the foundations of German democracy. For years, the Germans did not feel threatened, so they saw no reason to increase defence spending. Moreover, politicians felt that Europe's safety could only be built with Russia, not against it. This rule was undermined only by Moscow's aggression on Ukraine and the outbreak of a full-scale war on February 24, 2022.
Just a fewer days later, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the alleged Zeitenwende (a turning point in history) in German defence policy. “Will we let Putin to take back the clocks to the times of the large powers of the 19th century, or can we be able to set limits for specified instigators as Putin?” asked the head of government in the Bundestag. The words were followed by deeds. Over the 2 years (2022-2024), German defence spending increased from 1.5 to 2% of GDP. A peculiar out-of-budget fund for the modernisation of the Bundeswehr was created, amounting to EUR 100 billion, powered by state borrowings. The first arms projects financed by this fund included, among others, the acquisition of 35 F-35A fighters, communication systems, over 118,000 fresh HK416 rifles, the modernization of the Puma infantry fighting vehicles and 140 armored CATV caterpillar vehicles.
To facilitate the acquisition of arms, Bundestag passed amendments to the German Basic Law by a two-thirds majority (CDU/CSU, SPD and Greens) on March 18 of that year, which allowed debt to be increased and allowed loans to be drawn for defence. A peculiar out-of-budget fund of EUR 500 billion has been launched for 10 years.
Another German government elected in May after the early parliamentary elections not only continued the defence policy of its predecessors, but greatly enriched it. The Chadecco-Social Democratic cabinet of Chancellor Friedrich Merz has decided to spend another billion euros on the arms of the Bundeswehr and defence infrastructure. These steps, among others, resulted from commitments made at the end of June at the NATO summit in The Hague. During this meeting, allies agreed that by 2032 their defence spending would scope 5% of GDP. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that he would meet his allied commitments and supply the essential resources for this purpose, as he wanted to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional army in Europe.
5 percent of Germany's GDP, or around EUR 225 billion per year, is simply a immense sum, given that the national budget spent EUR 476 billion in 2024. “It is in the national interest of Germany to defend,” commented Aylin Matlé of the German Council of abroad Relations (DGAP) in an interview with Deutsche Welle. However, she stressed that this "crazy amount" and the government must explain to the public why it is essential to issue it.
Bloomberg's service stated that in carrying out its Natov commitments, Berlin intends to buy 1,000 Leopard 2 tanks and 2.5 1000 GTK Boxer armoured transporters. The cost of this order is about EUR 25 billion. This equipment is intended to scope 7 fresh brigades, each with 5,000 soldiers, be equipped with tanks and artillery. The brigades are to be formed in the next 10 years. Their task will be to act to deter Russia. 35 F-35 fighters will besides be available for natonic atomic deterrence, which will start next year. 5th generation aircraft will be able to carry American atomic weapons stored in Germany.
Subsequent purchases affect the British-German relationship and cooperation agreement signed 2 weeks ago on 17 July, which focuses mainly on safety and the arms industry. The conclusion of this agreement was accompanied by the announcement of respective projects concerning military cooperation in the improvement of long-range missiles (more than 2000 km), unmanned air systems, torpedoes against submarines.
The aim of this cooperation is to make British and German weapons and military equipment (e.g. RCH 155 artillery systems, wheeled armored transporters Boxer), as well as to invest in modern technologies specified as artificial intelligence in weapons systems, defence against drones and cybersecurity.
In order to avoid red tape in the way of planned purchases, the German government adopted a bill a fewer days ago on the faster planning and procurement way for the Bundeswehr. Larger projects will no longer should be divided to organise tenders. Military procurement was excluded from the provisions of the Public Procurement Act. The definitions of military equipment have been extended to all the needs of the Bundeswehr, including medical supplies and construction services. Thanks to the fresh rules, the acquisition of equipment is expected to run more efficiently and faster.
Russia's attack on Ukraine forced European states to invest in the largest military investments since the end of the Cold War. Germany has besides abandoned its pacifist policy and invested considerable sums in its own armed forces. Chancellor Merz wrote on social media that specified expenses are essential due to the fact that “Russia is threatening the full political order of our continent. Europe must step up its efforts to guarantee its own defence."
