"Herculean Endeavors" - Preparing the German Armed Forces for NATO's New Horizon
Translation: NATO's strategic plans for the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr)
The NATO alliance is setting lofty goals, posing significant implications for the German Armed Forces, famously known as the Bundeswehr. According to a senior officer of the German Armed Forces, the undertaking is more challenging than a walk in the park, akin to the creation of the Bundeswehr during its inception.
The task at hand falls on Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his military strategists, who are striving to navigate a maelstrom of expanded barracks, training, logistics, reconnaissance, cyber defense, and home defense responsibilities. On top of that, they must secure the deployment of allied troops and protect their country's infrastructure assets.
Ground Forces
The Army, the backbone of the German Armed Forces, requires substantial growth to meet the challenges ahead. The Army was previously tasked with providing ten combat brigades, each with around 5,000 troops, but it missed the mark. The ninth of these large units, dubbed the "Lithuania" brigade, is currently being assembled.
Military analysts speculate that from the proposed 60,000 additional soldiers, around 40,000 could be allocated to the Army. The rearmament process is already underway, with the Army's equipment currently standing at approximately 60 percent (excluding military aid provided to Ukraine).
The Inspector of the Army, Alfons Mais, reveals that for the first time since the end of the Cold War, a planning cycle is underway that is based on actual defense strategies. To achieve these targets, "monumental efforts" are required, according to Lieutenant General Mais.
Air Forces
The defense against aerial attacks is a fundamental job that has long been overlooked by many European states. The situation in Ukraine is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of a nation, even when situated miles away from the front lines.
In NATO circles, there's a consensus that the defense capabilities against aerial attacks must increase by an enormous 400 percent. For the Air Force, which currently only has one air defense missile regiment, this means the addition of at least one further unit. This expansion will involve diverse air defense systems, including Patriot, Iris-T, and the Israeli system Arrow 3, to form a multilayered defense shield.
Naval Forces
As NATO strategy planning continues, the naval forces have revealed their objectives. The "Course Navy" document specifies new tasks and the necessary weapon systems. The development and construction of large combat vessels, noted for their exorbitant costs and extended lead times, are among the emerging priorities.
By 2035, the number of frigates is expected to increase to at least 15, with 6 belonging to the modern F127 class. The Navy will also have 6 to 9 corvettes of the Braunschweig class (K130) and 9 to 12 modern submarines of the U212A/CD class. In the short-term, a fleet is needed that is well-positioned to defend key areas, while a long-term increase in fleet size is necessary. The future fleet will consist of a variety of manned and unmanned platforms, allowing for a permanent, resilient, and escalation-capable presence in all operational areas.
The defense ministry and its military strategists are faced with revising not only the community policy and general-news policies but also the employment policy of the German Armed Forces due to the increasing responsibilities on the Bundeswehr, such as the need for safe deployments of allied troops and the protection of the country's infrastructure assets. The proposed expansion of the army, air force, and navy requires significant adjustments in the employment policy, as the Bundeswehr aims to increase its manpower by at least 60,000 soldiers, and the air force expects to add at least one additional air defense missile regiment to its current single unit.
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