Germany intensifies military efforts in response to Russian aggression: new reforms and large-scale armament procurements
Amid escalating threats from Russia, Germany is significantly strengthening its military capabilities through a comprehensive reform process, positioning itself among Europe’s leading defense nations.
Under Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s radical initiatives, Berlin in 2022 lifted all Defense spending restrictions, allocating hundreds of billions of euros toward acquiring modern weaponry and equipment.
This includes massive orders of tanks, artillery, fighter jets, and naval vessels, aimed at establishing the most powerful army in Europe.
According to industry data shared by journalist Matt Oliver, Germany spent over €50 billion on defense in 2022, with plans for an additional €377 billion dedicated to modernizing and expanding its military capacity.
Policymakers are focusing on developing mobile and maneuverable forces capable of quick response and deterring potential Russian aggression.
Massive procurements include the Leopard 2 tanks, armored vehicles, missile defense systems, and other advanced military hardware, which will greatly enhance the readiness and responsiveness of German forces.
For years, financial neglect and policies based on the notion that European conflicts were over had led to the weakening of the Bundeswehr, resulting in a need for a sharp shift in defense priorities.
Recognizing these risks, Merz proposed increasing troop numbers from around 185,000 to over 260,000 soldiers, with an additional 200,000 reservists.
A crucial step was the reintroduction of compulsory military service, abolished in 2011, to create a resilient defense shield prepared to face both traditional and modern threats, including drones and advanced missile technology.
Since the outbreak of full-scale war in Ukraine, Germany established a special military fund of €100 billion, becoming the second-largest donor to Ukraine and fully meeting NATO’s goal of spending 2% of GDP on defense.
Reinforcing its ambitions, Berlin plans to acquire more than 400 new Leopard 2 tanks, along with extensive armaments, armored vehicles, missile defense systems, ships, and missile complexes, investing hundreds of billions of euros to assert its status as a robust global military power capable of responding to contemporary security challenges.