BERLIN — Germany has set a three-year deadline to transform its military into a force capable of defending NATO territory against a potential Russian assault, signaling a dramatic shift in defense policy amid growing geopolitical tensions, reported by Daily Hurriyet News.
Annette Lehnigk-Emden, head of Germany’s Federal Office for Military Procurement, told Tagesspiegel that all essential defense equipment must be acquired by 2028. “Everything necessary to be fully prepared to defend the country must be acquired,” she said, emphasizing the urgency sparked by warnings of a possible Russian offensive by 2029.
General Carsten Breuer, Germany’s chief of defense, recently echoed these concerns, citing Russia’s growing stockpile of ammunition and tanks, and its strategic focus on NATO’s eastern flank — particularly the Baltic states.
The government of newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz has prioritized military readiness, unlocking hundreds of billions of euros for defense. His administration has vowed to make Germany’s Bundeswehr the most powerful conventional army in Europe. High on the procurement list are anti-aircraft systems like the Skyranger, alongside a broader push to modernize heavy equipment.
Rearmament began under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. But the pace has quickened amid pressure from allies — especially the United States, where former President Donald Trump reignited calls for NATO members to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has outlined plans to recruit up to 60,000 new soldiers by the early 2030s, expanding the army beyond 203,000 troops.
On the home front, civil protection efforts are accelerating. Authorities are cataloging tunnels, subways, and public buildings for conversion into bunkers, aiming to create one million shelter spaces by year’s end. A national shelter plan is expected this summer.
