Germany's defense minister unveiled a plan to reorganize the country's military command to enhance its war capabilities. This initiative comes in the wake of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's decision to boost military spending following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The defense minister, Boris Pistorius, has been tasked with revamping the Bundeswehr after years of neglect. He emphasized the need for the German military to be 'war-capable' in light of potential threats, particularly from Russia.
Pistorius's plan includes the establishment of a single operational military command to facilitate quicker decision-making and eliminate redundancies. Currently, the Bundeswehr operates two separate command centers for domestic defense and international deployments.
Furthermore, a dedicated 'cyber and information' department will be expanded to address cyber threats, protect electronic infrastructure, and analyze hybrid risks like disinformation. This department will become the fourth arm of the military alongside the army, air force, and navy.
Speaking on NATO's 75th anniversary, Pistorius stressed the importance of preparing the Bundeswehr to defend both Germany and the alliance. Scholz has committed to increasing defense spending to meet NATO's 2% GDP target, a goal that Germany has historically fallen short of.
While progress has been made in modernizing the Bundeswehr with new equipment orders, challenges remain. The parliamentary commissioner for the military highlighted the ongoing deficiencies within the armed forces, indicating that more resources are needed to bolster Germany's defense capabilities.
As Germany aims to reach the 2% GDP target in the coming years, the specifics of sustaining this level of funding post-2027, once the special military fund is depleted, remain uncertain. Nevertheless, the country is determined to fulfill its NATO obligations and enhance its role in the alliance.
