Expanding Germany's military force by approximately 60,000 personnel, in line with revised NATO objectives.
In Brussels, Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius declared that the country will need an additional 60,000 troops to meet fresh Nato targets, as the alliance beefs up forces to counter the perceived increased threat from Russia.
Pistorius emphasized, "We're stepping up to our responsibility as Europe's largest economy." The assertion came ahead of a meeting with Nato counterparts in Brussels, scheduled to approve the new targets.
The updated targets are in line with defense plans, thousands of pages of secret documents drafted since the end of the Cold War, detailing how allied forces would respond to a Russian attack on Nato. Nato found substantial shortfalls in various areas, including comprehensive ground troops, long-range weapons, ammunition stockpiles, and secure communications.
Nato chief Mark Rutte revealed only a rough outline of the gaps the alliance seeks to fill, stating, "We have to invest in our air defense systems, long-range missiles, maneuverable land-formations, command and control systems - all of this requires huge investments."
The Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, will require roughly 50,000 to 60,000 additional active soldiers, as per Pistorius, bringing the future strength of the German forces to between 250,000 and 260,000 troops. Last week, reports suggested Nato would ask Germany to provide seven more army brigades, or approximately 40,000 troops.
The task of recruiting tens of thousands of extra troops poses a significant challenge for Berlin, potentially leading to a debate on whether conscription should be reintroduced. The Bundeswehr has not yet met a target of 203,000 troops set in 2018, with a current shortage of 20,000 regular troops, according to defense ministry data.
Pistorius admitted the government would face the question of whether the voluntary military service planned would be sufficient to fill the Bundeswehr's ranks. However, he cautioned that the military currently lacks the capacity to absorb a larger number of conscripts due to a shortage of barracks and trainers.
Earlier this year, Germany reversed its stance on the debt brake to enable a surge in defense spending, supporting Rutte's plan to increase Nato's spending target to 5% of GDP. This follows growing concerns over the increased threat from Russia and the need for NATO members to contribute more to collective defense efforts.
In summary, the enhanced focus on defense is a response to the perceived Russian threat, requiring increased military spending and personnel contributions from NATO members, with Germany set to contribute significantly. Despite the challenges, Germany is gearing up to face the new demands and strengthen its defense capabilities in line with NATO objectives.
- Due to the heightened threat from Russia and the need for enhanced collective defense efforts, politics in Brussels is currently focused on policy-and-legislation related to war-and-conflicts, with Germany committing to augment its military forces by an additional 60,000 troops.
- Amidst general-news about the increased Russian threat and Nato's response, Germany's decision to invest more in defense, aligning with Rutte's plan to boost Nato's spending target, signifies a significant shift in Europe's military roles and responsibilities, necessitated by current conflict and policy concerns.
