Germany’s Federal Armed Forces Inspector General, General Carsten Breuer, has called for financial planning security for the Bundeswehr. He emphasized the need for the next federal government to quickly establish a new budget. “The more reliable the financing, the better the industry can plan and build up capacities” Breuer told the Handelsblatt. He also urged that two percent of the country’s economic output is the “absolute minimum” for defense investments.
Breuer highlighted the eastern threat, stating, “For Russia, the war has already begun if you look at the numerous hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure and Russian influence in the West.” He emphasized that the situation is “grim” and therefore, Germany must be “war-ready” by 2029.
Despite the new US President Donald Trump, the military strategist remains optimistic about close transatlantic ties. “Our problem is not in Washington, our problem is in Moscow” Breuer said. He is confident that “President Trump will recognize that the American footprint in Europe is to the benefit of the United States itself” the highest-ranking soldier of the Bundeswehr stated.