Germany's military turnaround: 3,500 new tanks for NATO defense!

Germany's military turnaround: 3,500 new tanks for NATO defense!

Germany is facing a significant shift in defense policy. The federal government is currently examining a billion-dollar order for up to 3,500 new battle tanks to strengthen NATO's defense. This reports World. The plan is to set up up to seven new combat brigades, which will be equipped with the most modern combat vehicles. The decision on the huge order could be made this year.

Particular attention is being paid to the procurement of up to 1,000 Leopard 2 main battle tanks and around 2,500 GTK Boxer wheeled tanks. These new vehicles are not only intended to modernize the Bundeswehr, but also represent a response to the increasing demands of NATO. These requirements became even clearer after the NATO summit in The Hague in June 2025. daily news reports that the military requirements for the member states will be increased by around a third, which for Germany means that the number of troops in the Bundeswehr should increase from around 180,000 to 260,000 soldiers.

New structure of the Bundeswehr

The extensive changes in the Bundeswehr not only require new tanks, but also additional soldiers. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans to increase troops by up to 60,000 active soldiers. While a discussion about reviving compulsory military service intensifies, the coalition is currently optimistic and is committed to attractive voluntary military service. DW emphasizes that although compulsory military service should not be reactivated in the short term, the basis for a sustainable service is urgently needed.

The requirement to achieve NATO goals is no coincidence. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany wants to provide significant financial resources to expand the Bundeswehr into the strongest conventional army in Europe. The federal government is currently planning to invest five percent of gross domestic product in defense and military infrastructure by 2035. This could mean an estimated annual expenditure of 225 billion euros for Germany.

The pressure from NATO

The pressure to increase defense spending not only comes from German politics, but is also being increased by US President Trump. He demanded that European NATO allies take more responsibility, otherwise he threatened to withdraw military support. The need for additional troops in Europe is becoming increasingly relevant in response to Russian threats. daily news explains that Germany currently does not have the necessary capacity to react quickly enough to possible threats.

With these planned changes in armaments policy and the required increases in capacity, Germany is facing a major challenge. The Bundeswehr will face an exciting but also challenging chapter in order to meet the new NATO requirements. The goal: to have a powerful and modern army that meets international security requirements.