German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has warned that a shortfall in funding for 2025 could leave the country’s military critically underfunded.
Pistorius told dpa on Tuesday that the German military, or Bundeswehr, needs around €58 billion ($63 billion) in 2025 to quickly close capability gaps. “As things stand, we will be allocated around €52 billion”, he said.
“That means we will be short of almost €6 billion next year,” the minister added.
Speaking amid tense negotiations between Germany’s coalition partners over the country’s budget, Pistorius called on the government to face up to its responsibilities and agree on sufficient funding for the country’s defence capabilities.
The minister said he understands that the range of tasks facing the government is exceptionally large.
“However, I have the feeling that some of the players are not aware of the seriousness of the situation or that they believe they can overcome these really big challenges with tactical games,” he said.
Due to the funding gap, around 100 Bundeswehr projects cannot be carried out and the procurement of equipment is to be postponed, he said.
According to the minister, this affects the next instalment of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, urgently needed ammunition and the development of long-range precision weapons.
Pistorius said that thanks to a special fund of €100 billion for the Bundeswehr, “an unusually large number of projects have been launched unusually quickly.”
However, after 30 years of neglect, the Bundeswehr’s equipment is still far from complete, he said.
“We are now at a crucial point,” he added, warning that military gaps were widening again despite threats increasing.
“History is looking over our shoulders, so to speak,” he said, adding that the current defence threats should not be played down.
Pistorius said that while conducting disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks and spying on critical infrastructure, Russia was rearming and would soon have around 1.5 million troops.
Moscow has moved to a war economy and is investing at least 6% in armaments and defence, the minister added.
“Russian industry produces more weapons and ammunition in three months than the entire European Union does in a year. And we have to expect that Putin is willing and ready to use his armed forces … That is the reality we are facing,” Pistorius said.
