Germany sets 2029 deadline to arm military against Russian threat
Germany has set a deadline for 2029 to fully equip its military amid concerns about the threat from Russia. By that time, the Kremlin is expected to be ready to rebuild its military potential and could pose a threat to NATO countries.
According to Reuters, the head of the German armed forces, General Carsten Breuer, has issued a directive to fully equip the Bundeswehr with weapons and equipment by 2029. This decision is driven by concerns that Russia could be capable of attacking NATO territory by then.
The document, titled "Directive on Priorities for Increasing Readiness," was signed on May 19. It contains a detailed action plan to prepare the German armed forces for the coming years.
Russian threat: How Germany is preparing
The directive reflects a shared assessment by Breuer and NATO officials that Russia could rebuild its armed forces by 2029, posing a direct threat to the alliance's borders. Funding for the plan is expected to come from easing the German "debt brake" in March, allowing for increased defense spending.
The document sets purchasing priorities in line with NATO recommendations. The most crucial priority is strengthening German air defense, with a particular focus on countering drones. NATO is expected to demand that Berlin at least quadruple the number of air defense systems, ranging from long-range platforms like Patriot to short-range intercept systems.
In addition to enhancing air defense, the directive outlines the development of capabilities to conduct precise strikes on targets over 310 miles away. Breuer also emphasized the urgent need to replenish ammunition stocks and increase targets for storage of all ammunition types.
Other key areas of development include modernizing electronic warfare systems and building strong offensive and defensive capabilities in space.
Will Russia attack NATO?
There have been discussions for years about a potential conflict between Russia and NATO. Concerns have heightened following Putin's invasion of Ukraine. However, the war has been ongoing for more than three years. Despite peace talks, no progress has been made. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Russia may conduct an offensive. Nico Lange, a military and security expert, stated in an interview with "Bild" that Putin's troops plan to strike in three locations: Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.
As long as Russia is unable to break Ukraine, it is doubtful that it would attack members of the North Atlantic Alliance. However, Russian provocations, such as those in the Baltic Sea, clearly signal that Moscow's plans to destabilize the international situation extend beyond Ukraine's borders. This suggests that countries in Central and Eastern Europe must prepare for all possible scenarios.
