The German Armed Forces Procurement Agency is operating under significant time pressure, according to its president, Annette Lehnigk-Emden, reflecting escalating geopolitical tensions. Speaking to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspaper group, Lehnigk-Emden emphasized the urgency of equipping the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) to meet both national and alliance defense requirements by 2029.
This ambitious timeline stems from a directive received from the General Inspector of the Armed Forces, aiming for full operational readiness. While an attack on NATO by Russia remains a hypothetical scenario, the Ministry of Defence anticipates a potential window where Russian military capabilities could significantly advance by 2029. To facilitate adequate training and preparedness, the Bundeswehr ideally requires all necessary equipment by 2028.
The accelerated acquisition process is generating considerable strain. A bottleneck in procurement has emerged due to existing challenges within the defense industry. While substantial orders have been placed and deliveries received since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the industry’s production capacity has not yet scaled sufficiently to ensure timely delivery of all required equipment by the critical date. The need has shifted from individual manufacturing to rapid adoption of serial production methods, a transition that is now underway within defense companies.
Despite the challenges, Lehnigk-Emden expressed confidence in the Bundeswehr’s ability to achieve essential equipping. While acknowledging the possibility of not having every item of equipment on hand, she stated a firm conviction that the Armed Forces will be prepared for any eventuality, bolstered by close collaboration and support from partner nations.