The Bundeswehr’s Reserve Association is issuing a stark warning regarding the ambitious plans to expand the German reserve forces to 200,000 personnel, emphasizing the critical need for full operational readiness and substantial investment beyond mere paperwork. Patrick Sensburg, President of the Reserve Association, articulated the concerns in an interview with “Bild am Sonntag”, highlighting the significant challenges inherent in building a credible and effective reserve component integral to NATO’s evolving capabilities.
Sensburg’s call is a pointed critique of potentially superficial planning. He stressed that the envisioned reservists – intended to be experienced professionals familiar with the Bundeswehr’s structure – must be immediately deployable and equipped to the same standard as active duty forces. This necessitates far more than simply recruiting personnel; it demands consistent training, regular exercises and a complete logistical chain mirroring that available to the permanent army. The provision of adequate weaponry, ammunition, modern training grounds and suitable accommodation are, according to Sensburg, non-negotiable.
The association’s President challenged the perception of the reserve as a supplementary force, asserting that it “must not lag behind the active troops in anything”. This signals a potential ideological clash within the Bundeswehr, highlighting a fundamental disagreement on the role and integration of reserve personnel. Critics suggest such a significant expansion, if not properly funded and supported, risks diluting the effectiveness of the entire defense apparatus, creating a pool of personnel lacking critical skills and resources.
Given the heightened geopolitical tensions and evolving security landscape, the Reserve Association’s demand for swift and decisive action is clear. Sensburg’s plea “Now is the time to really get to work – for the active troops, as for the reserve” underscores the urgency of the situation and implicitly questions whether current plans are truly prepared to meet the challenges ahead. The ability of Germany to contribute meaningfully to NATO’s defense posture hinges on a commitment to providing the reserve forces not only with a place on paper, but with the necessary tools and training to fulfill that role.