“No Time to Lose”: Merz Urges Bundeswehr to embrace New Approach to Defense
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has issued a call for accelerated action and a shift in mindset within the Bundeswehr, emphasizing the urgent need to bolster GermanyS defense capabilities. “we have to become capable of defending ourselves as quickly as possible,” Merz stated in a video message delivered to the Bundeswehr conference in Berlin. He articulated a goal to establish the Bundeswehr as “the strongest conventional army in the European Union,” a position he believes is fitting for a nation of Germany’s size and responsibility. “We have no time to lose,” he stressed, acknowledging the “great efforts” that lie ahead.
Merz specifically challenged military leaders to expedite procurement processes and embrace a more proactive approach.”We cannot address today’s threats with yesterday’s administrative regulations,” he asserted, advocating for a “make it possible” mentality to facilitate rapid growth within the armed forces.
However, Merz underscored that personnel are paramount. “It is not ships, not tanks, not aircraft that make our country capable of defending itself. Above all, it needs soldiers.” He cited the “real” threat posed by Russia, pointing to daily occurrences of “hybrid attacks” within Germany, including “sabotage, espionage, cyber attacks, drone overflights, contract killings and targeted disinformation.”
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, also addressing the Bundeswehr conference, echoed concerns regarding the threat from Russia. he stated the Bundeswehr is “in the process of consistently aligning…towards national and alliance defense.” Pistorius reiterated his call for measures to make military service more appealing, aiming to increase the force from its current size of approximately 182,000 soldiers and 100,000 reservists to around 460,000 by the mid-1930s. This expansion is largely predicated on the implementation of a new military service law, currently under debate within the government and parliament.
Regarding procurement, Pistorius emphasized the importance of a balanced approach. “We still need large equipment such as tanks, ships and aircraft, but of course we also need a lot more innovative technologies that will allow us to survive on the battlefield of the future.” He cautioned against oversimplification, stating, “There are no easy answers, there are no black and white.”
Inspector General Carsten Breuer highlighted the Bundeswehr’s intention to learn from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating, “Because the war in Ukraine is our teacher.” He warned against any Russian miscalculation regarding potential conflict with NATO, asserting, “We must prevent Russia from making such a misjudgment again. Russia must never assume that it can win a war with NATO, not even with a single NATO state.” Breuer projected that this deterrent capability will be established by 2029, with further strengthening and integration of capabilities expected by 2039.
