Wo we want armed forces that can defend our country and allies? If you look at the Basic Law or current surveys, the answer is unequivocal: yes. However, if one looks at the state of the Bundeswehr, doubts are appropriate, because governments and the Bundestag have run the army down for decades.
The fact that Germany’s armed forces are no longer feared in Europe may be an advantage. The fact that the allies laugh at them is not so good, but it happens more and more often. Even a German battle tank is only as good as its radio connection or its ammunition supply. And when German Panzergrenadiers borrow stable tents from smaller countries during maneuvers because they can’t get any themselves, it’s bitter for them. But also embarrassing for Germany.
Now there was a “turning point” and something changed afterwards, at least in terms of words and decisions. Unfortunately not in action. Because nine months after the start of the second Russian attack on Ukraine, the Bundeswehr is just as “blank” (a word from the army chief) as it was on February 24th. Things are probably even worse for them because weapons and materials from the Ukraine aid are not being reordered.
It is inexplicable why investments in weapons and material were reduced in the defense budget for 2023 and why the budget of Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) as a whole speaks more for reduction than growth. That’s why the troops are standing still, even literally: at the beginning of October, the tight fuel budget was almost used up. The tanks could only be filled further with all sorts of household tricks, as a CDU MP found out after persistent inquiries.
The purchasing power of the special fund has fallen to 85 billion
But there is a “special fund,” the reply is. Yes, Parliament has approved a loan of 100 billion euros. However, the ministry had to cut the procurement list sharply because interest, currency losses and inflation were not included. One could have known that, but it was ignored. So the finished business plan wasn’t available until mid-November. In the meantime, the purchasing power of the 100 billion Chancellor’s promise has fallen to around 85 billion. You could buy all sorts of it, one would think.
Four weeks before the end of the year, however, it comes out that practically nothing has been ordered so far. Parliament has not yet seen a bill for helicopters, fighter jets or corvettes. All parliamentary groups, with the exception of the SPD, complained about this in the budget debate and demanded more speed. But why do members of the government and opposition have to beg Lambrecht to please, please spend all that money more quickly? Does the minister and former functionary of the Parliamentary Left perhaps not want the armed forces to fight at all?
The budget debate was also embarrassing for Olaf Scholz, not only because of his broken two percent promise. The Chancellor has promised NATO that by 2025 a whole division will be ready for action again, that’s around 15,000 soldiers. Other army units had to be further plundered to equip the “Chancellor Division”. No one in the Ministry of Defense believes that the necessary new materiel, tanks and artillery can be procured by the end of 2024. Of course, this is especially true if you don’t order anything at all. Does the chancellor already know that and does the minister understand the problem?
The ammunition of the Bundeswehr is only enough for two days of combat
Finally, it is puzzling why Lambrecht does not invest in ammunition. Even before the war began, the Bundeswehr lacked artillery shells or rockets worth more than 20 billion euros. The requirement is calculated from the NATO requirement to keep ammunition in stock for 30 days of combat. Even that is quite modest when you think of the past nine months in Ukraine. In the Bundeswehr, it is said to be enough for two days of combat, details are secret. So now you would have to order quickly and in large quantities. Why isn’t this happening? Does the minister prefer armed forces without ammunition?
The ammunition issue is one of many. A year after taking office, Lambrecht still has no concept for the armed forces, no reform proposal for the excessive military bureaucracy, no idea of European armaments cooperation, no thought of a major restructuring of the procurement system. For eleven months now, a non-specialist state secretary and party friend from the judiciary has been tinkering with what is known as an “inventory”. It is said of the minister that she is now gradually finding her way into the office that she actually never wanted to have. That can hardly be enough.
