Rüdiger Lucassen, the AfD spokesperson for defense policy in the Bundestag, has called for Germany to assume a stronger military leadership role in Europe. According to a ”Bild” article (Wednesday edition) based on Lucassen’s position paper for the Munich Security Conference, he argues that Germany is ready to take the lead on Europe’s security and freedom. The paper will serve as the foundation for his discussions with U.S. officials and is framed as a response to the United States’ new security strategy.
Lucassen’s proposal states that Germany should lead NATO’s defense of the European area and, as a leading nation, set the framework for integrating partner states. A key priority is the “leadership and provision of main forces” to safeguard NATO’s northeastern flank. The navy would work with partners to secure the North Atlantic, while Germany would conduct land‑ and air‑based operations to protect the Baltic Sea.
To achieve these goals, Lucassen suggests adding four mechanized army divisions, two additional helicopter brigades for rapid deployment of forward forces to the eastern flank, the establishment of a cruiser squadron for maritime security in the North Atlantic, and enhancing German forces with deep‑strike capabilities.