Military Leaders Urge Swift Action to Strengthen German Armed Forces
The head of the German Federal Armed Forces Association, André Wüstner, has expressed concern over the government’s pace in modernizing the country’s military. Wüstner believes that the recent NATO commitments have set the stage for a new era in the German military, but warned that the road ahead will be challenging, particularly in terms of personnel growth and structural changes.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is tasked with leading the “Operation Growth” initiative, which aims to rapidly build combat capabilities by 2029 and achieve the agreed-upon skill targets in the following years. Wüstner identified the greatest gaps in the country’s air defense and land forces, citing the need for improved medical services, chemical, biological and radiological defense and leadership and logistics capabilities for large military units.
Germany currently has eight incomplete brigades, with a ninth in the process of being formed. The country will need 12 combat-ready brigades, plus division and corps troops, to meet its defense and alliance obligations. Additionally, the military will require forces for homeland defense.
Wüstner expressed doubts about the effectiveness of a voluntary recruitment model, suggesting that a new military service model should not only attract new recruits but also include soldiers on temporary or professional contracts. He emphasized the need to go beyond simply increasing attractiveness and to make significant changes to the service and career structure, as well as the provision of services for soldiers, to better align with the needs of the armed forces.
The association’s president also called for the construction of new barracks, stating that the government must quickly make decisions on the matter. He urged closer cooperation between the defense and finance ministries and the federal states, warning that the government will fail without swift action.