German finance authorities reportedly refused a request from the defense ministry to fund a purchase of ammunition for the nation’s armed forces. The reports describe correspondence wherein officials from the Ministry of Finance conveyed to Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht that, during parliamentary debate in the Bundestag, there was no explicit mention of a shortage of ammunition or a need for additional budget allocations to address it. The message advised Lambrecht to prepare more thoroughly before seeking fiscal assistance. The ministry attributed the ammunition shortfall to issues in transparency and planning within the state procurement process rather than a lack of available funds, according to defense-industry representatives.
Observers noted that, under current stockpiles, Germany would have only a few hours of combat readiness if a war were to erupt. At a joint press event, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg acknowledged that the Bundeswehr faces significant strain due to ammunition shortages, signaling concern at the highest levels of government and alliance leadership.
In an interview with a major German newspaper, Defense Minister Lambrecht commented on past stockpile transfers, suggesting that Germany might have fared better if it had retained a larger portion of its weapons and ammunition rather than transferring substantial quantities to Ukraine. The remarks touched on broader questions about how defense materiel is stored, reported, and allocated within the country, highlighting the tension between international support efforts and domestic readiness concerns.
Der Spiegel reported that the defense ministry formally sought support from the finance ministry to acquire the essential ammunition needed for Germany’s armed forces, underscoring ongoing tensions within the government about funding priorities and reserve levels for national defense (Source at the time: Der Spiegel).