Germany ramps up military readiness, aims high by 2029
Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, has mandated that by 2029 the German military be fully equipped with weapons and other materials, according to a document obtained by Reuters.
The document, signed by Breuer on May 19, states that Germany will reach this goal through funds made available by loosening the country's debt brake, according to Reuters. This issue was also reported by "Politico" magazine, as noted by the t-online portal.
The Bundeswehr is set to become more effective in air defense by the end of the decade. Breuer's directive emphasizes that strengthening protection against air threats is the "highest priority," writes t-online. At the top of the list are, among other things, integrated missile defense and short- and medium-range air defense.
Defense against drone swarms
According to the document, the focus is on defending against approaching drones and drone swarms. Additionally, the Bundeswehr should purchase and stockpile more ammunition. The document also outlines plans to acquire combat drones.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has stated that the Bundeswehr must be "ready for war" by 2029, as t-online recalled. NATO experts suggest that a Russian attack on alliance territory could be possible from this point onward.
However, Norbert Roettgen, vice-chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, believes such an attack could be possible even sooner. President Vladimir Putin of Russia might exploit the fact that Europeans have not yet reached their armament goals.
Germany releases the brake
In March, the German parliament, the Bundestag, passed a law by the CDU/CSU and SPD reforming the "debt brake" enshrined in the Basic Law (the German constitution), which prevents increasing the budget deficit above 0.35% of GDP.
The changes allow expenditures on military, civil defense, services, and cybersecurity exceeding 1% of GDP to bypass budgetary constraints, enabling loans to finance them.
