Germany significantly boosts military spending to €600 billion

Germany is preparing to invest heavily in its military, marking a significant change in its defense policy. This move comes amid rising tensions in Europe, particularly due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Brigadier General Ralf Hammerstein expressed skepticism about trusting Russia under President Putin, a sentiment shared by many Europeans. The new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, aims to boost the country's military capabilities, which have suffered from years of underfunding. Recent constitutional changes have allowed Germany to unlock billions of euros for military spending. Over the next decade, Germany may invest around €600 billion ($652 billion) if it maintains a defense budget of 3.5% of its GDP. In a recent military exercise with NATO allies, Hammerstein emphasized Germany's role as a responsible partner in Europe. He acknowledged that the full-scale invasion of Ukraine marked a turning point for Germany, prompting a renewed effort to strengthen military forces after decades of reduced spending. Olaf Scholz, the previous chancellor, initiated a one-time fund of €100 billion for the military. However, progress was slow, and Merz is now focused on accelerating these reforms. He stated that Germany had relied too long on a false sense of security and that it was time for a shift in defense policy. Historically, Germany's military spending has decreased significantly since the Cold War, but it recently met NATO's target of 2% of GDP for the first time in over 30 years. Hammerstein highlighted the need for more troops and better infrastructure, as the military currently faces recruitment challenges and aging personnel. Recent reports indicate that the Bundeswehr is still under-resourced and is short of trained soldiers. The current force stands at about 181,000 personnel, falling short of earlier targets. Hammerstein suggested reintroducing mandatory military service to boost recruitment. Public opinion is gradually changing, with many Germans now supporting increased military spending. A recent survey found that 66% agree with higher defense budgets, while a majority also support taking on more debt for military and infrastructure upgrades. With these developments, Chancellor Merz is confident that Germany’s commitment to strengthening its military will enhance security and stability in Europe. He declared, “Germany is back,” signaling a renewed focus on national defense.