Germany’s defense leadership acknowledges that major gaps in materiel, technical infrastructure, and personnel will not be fully closed by the end of the decade. In an interview published by Welt am Sonntag, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius outlined the scale of the challenge facing the Bundeswehr as it works to defend Germany and its NATO allies while contributing to international operations.
Pistorius stressed that the armed forces require not only updated equipment but also the required techniques and a robust workforce to operate and maintain it. He warned that by 2030 the existing deficiencies will still be noticeable, even with ongoing efforts. This assessment comes as the minister highlighted the need for clear priorities, with a particular emphasis on shoring up the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance.
The defense chief also pointed out that one term in government cannot bridge thirty years of shortfalls in military capacity. When asked about the notion of dragging the German economy onto a global battleground, he stressed that such an idea has not been on the table.
Historically, a portion of the defense budget was allocated to spare parts for equipment, a practice he noted as part of the country’s past budgeting decisions, while outlining the path forward for modernization and readiness. [Welt am Sonntag attribution]