The German Ministry of Defence is facing renewed criticism over the Bundeswehr’s digital transformation, as another critical IT project suffers significant delays. The ambitious rollout of new SAP S/4Hana software, intended to modernize the armed forces’ core administrative, logistical and material management systems, has been pushed back to the second quarter of 2026 – a substantial setback from the initially planned launch date of October 2023.
According to a confidential ministerial briefing, the postponement is attributed to “impeding acceptance issues” a euphemism that masks deeper systemic problems. An internal progress report from September detailed “deficient functionality” and a lack of “sufficient operational readiness” highlighting concerns about the software’s core capabilities. Crucially, SAP’s own executive board acknowledged “deficient software quality” as early as August, recommending the postponement to Spring 2026 to mitigate potentially catastrophic operational disruptions.
The debacle surrounding S/4Hana represents the second major digital infrastructure project within the Bundeswehr to encounter significant hurdles, exacerbating existing concerns about the armed forces’ ability to effectively modernize. The transition to digital radio communications continues to be a challenging and complex endeavor, with the recently appointed Chief of the German Army expressing “unsatisfactory progress” following a system testing inspection at Munster training area.
While a ministry spokesperson insists that the ongoing operation of legacy systems ensures the continued operational readiness of troops, the repeated delays raise fundamental questions about the efficacy of procurement processes, the oversight of strategic IT vendors and the overall direction of the Bundeswehr’s technological modernization. Critics argue that a rush towards cloud-based solutions and reliance on complex vendor contracts, coupled with insufficient internal expertise, are contributing to these recurring failures and potentially compromising Germany’s national security. The situation is prompting calls for a comprehensive review of the Bundeswehr’s digital strategy and a renewed focus on robust testing and realistic implementation timelines.