NATO summit: Germany's Bundeswehr before historical restructuring!

NATO summit: Germany's Bundeswehr before historical restructuring!

Den Haag, Niederlande - On June 24, 2025, NATO will meet in the Hague to set decisive course for the military future of the member states. The focus is on new military goals that should take into account the requirements of the current security policy situation. According to Tagesschau , the increase in military requirements is a central topic on average. For the Bundeswehr, this means extensive changes to meet the new challenges.

The planned troop thickness of around 200,000 soldiers is not sufficient in the back and front. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius sees a need of around 260,000 soldiers. The debate about the reintroduction of conscription becomes more intensive, while a voluntary service is provided for in the current coalition agreement. However, mandatory elements may soon be discussed in order to meet the requirements.

extensive military reforms necessary

The military analyst Gustav Gressel makes it clear that European countries will have to keep their military skills themselves in the future. This has to do with the deficits in the Bundeswehr. According to NZZ there are urgent catch-up requirements in areas such as education, communication and filling aircraft and Satellite education.

The Bundeswehr not only needs additional soldiers, but also numerous new equipment and infrastructure. Around 62,000 soldiers are currently available to the group, but several tens of thousand more are required to meet the high requirements. In addition, Germany is planning the stationing of combat troops in Lithuania until 2027. This is also considered necessary against the background of a more tense security policy situation.

Financial requirements increase

NATO expects an increase in defense budget to 5 percent of gross domestic product from its Member States, especially Germany. This would mean around 215 billion euros for Germany, based on GDP of the previous year. The proposal by NATO Secretary General Rutte provides for a division of 3.5 percent for classic defense and 1.5 percent for defense-relevant expenses. These include infrastructure, cyber security and digitization, as is also determined.

The previous infrastructure of the Bundeswehr is inadequate because many barracks have been closed or decayed. In order to build the urgently needed new barracks and depots, planning procedures must be shortened and tenders have to be simplified. Defense Minister Pistorius estimates that up to 460,000 soldiers are necessary for the active group alone, with a large part of the current 180,000 active soldiers.

In the overall view, the Bundeswehr is not only before modernization, but before a system change that could have far -reaching consequences for military security in Europe. A significant change in the military landscape of Europe is imminent, which could mean for Germany to face tasks that are reminiscent of the restoration of West Germany in 1955

The discussions about military expenses and the reforms within the Bundeswehr are therefore not only of national, but also of international importance. The pressure on the USA and NATO is growing, and the signs are on extensive reforms and innovations in German defense policy.