The newly appointed Inspector General of the German Armed Forces, Christian Freuding, is advocating for a significant expansion of capabilities and combat units within the military. Speaking on the POLITICO Berlin Playbook podcast, Freuding emphasized the need to bolster air defense capabilities to address evolving airborne threats. He stressed the importance of increasing the number of combat formations, a process he described as “gap closure and full equipping”. This includes replenishing equipment and ammunition stocks depleted by support efforts for Ukraine, ensuring the Armed Forces can effectively fulfill their assigned missions.
A key initial step outlined by Freuding is the establishment of Panzerbrigade 45 in Lithuania, strategically positioned to support both German and allied forces. He expressed optimism regarding the potential for further expansion, citing the ongoing implementation of new military service legislation. This framework aims to restructure military service, promoting engagement through meaningful assignments, demanding performance and providing professional development, all while retaining the principle of voluntary participation.
Addressing Russia’s potential for military action, Freuding reiterated the assessment that Moscow could pose a threat as early as 2029. Describing this prediction as a calculated projection rather than alarmist rhetoric, he stated that 2029 serves as a critical timeline. The objective is to be prepared by that point, achieving a level of deterrence strong enough to prevent such a scenario from occurring.
The formal transition of leadership within the German Armed Forces took place on Wednesday afternoon, with General Inspector Carsten Breuer transferring responsibilities from Alois Mais to Christian Freuding.