German military, the Bundeswehr, is set to acquire fighter jets and helicopters, dealing with what is described as the "most intricate construction project."
In a significant move towards military modernization, Germany is investing heavily in upgrading the Bundeswehr's infrastructure and capabilities. This includes the acquisition of new combat aircraft like the F-35, extensive land and naval systems, cyber and electronic warfare, and the renovation of key military bases such as Büchel.
The Büchel airbase, expected to accommodate the F-35 jets, requires modernization according to US specifications. A feasibility study by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) will determine the necessary construction measures, with the current status of infrastructure renovation and construction projects forming part of a broader military and defense modernization effort initiated under Chancellor Merz's Zeitenwende policy.
The delivery of the F-35 combat jets is scheduled despite significant difficulties and contrary to the expectations of US suppliers. The on-time completion of the F-35 campus at the airbase Büchel by the end of November 2026 is currently not at risk. However, the renovation of the Büchel airbase is now estimated to cost up to two billion euros, an increase from the initial calculation of 1.2 billion euros.
The construction administration lacks sufficient capacity to complete the infrastructure in a timely manner for the new helicopters and aircraft. To address this, the German government has established a €110 billion special defense fund in addition to the previous €100 billion allocated in 2022, bringing the total to around €210 billion dedicated to defense modernization between 2022 and 2027. The Bundestag approved more than €58 billion for 97 different projects in 2024, demonstrating rapid progress but also highlighting challenges such as stop-start contracting and cost inflation.
In addition to armed forces infrastructure, Germany is preparing for enhanced civil defense infrastructure, including plans to build or reactivate thousands of shelters nationwide. This requires at least €10 billion over the next four years and up to €30 billion over the next decade to enhance civil protection capabilities amid heightened geopolitical threats.
Meanwhile, the territorial missile defense system Arrow, being developed jointly by the USA and Israel, is on schedule at the Schönwalde site, with plans there serving as a blueprint for other sites. The selection process for the southern deployment of the Arrow system is still ongoing. The maritime surveillance aircraft P-8A Poseidon are expected to be stationed at the Nordholz site.
In 2024, numerous accommodation buildings throughout Germany with a total of almost 3,900 individual accommodations will be newly built or extensively renovated. Thirty-eight accommodation buildings with almost 1,400 individual accommodations are currently under construction and are expected to be ready for use by 2028 at the latest. A fast-track project procedure is being implemented for the modernization of the airbase Büchel, making it the most complex and largest construction site in the history of the German Armed Forces.
Sources: [1] Bundeswehr Modernisierung: Bundesregierung will Sonderfonds für Verteidigung aufstocken - Spiegel Online (https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundeswehr-modernisierung-bundesregierung-will-sonderfonds-fuer-verteidigung-aufstocken-a-1613070.html) [2] Deutschland will 10 Milliarden Euro in den Katastrophenschutz investieren - Tagesschau (https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/katastrophenschutz-1615.html) [3] Bundeswehr-Modernisierung: 105 Leopard 2 A8, F-35, PULS und mehr - Tagesspiegel (https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/bundeswehr-modernisierung-105-leopard-2-a8-f-35-puls-und-mehr/27670592.html) [4] Infrastrukturfonds: Bundesregierung will 500 Milliarden Euro für 12 Jahre investieren - Tagesschau (https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/infrastrukturfonds-1610.html) [5] Bundeswehr-Modernisierung: Bundesregierung will Sonderfonds für Verteidigung aufstocken - Spiegel Online (https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundeswehr-modernisierung-bundesregierung-will-sonderfonds-fuer-verteidigung-aufstocken-a-1613070.html)
The modernization of the Büchel airbase, expected to accommodate the F-35 jets, involves extensive construction measures as part of the broader military and defense modernization effort in Germany. The on-time completion of the F-35 campus at the airbase Büchel by the end of November 2026 is currently not at risk, despite the estimated cost increase from 1.2 billion euros to up to two billion euros.
