[Skybird]

Welt am Sonntag writes:


The largest part of the armed forces, the army, is neglected financially by the federal government. According to statistics from the Ministry of Defense, which are available to WELT AM SONNTAG, the Bundestag approved armaments proposals from the Defense Department from 2018 to 2020 with a total volume of 26.335 billion euros. The army's share of this totaled 13 percent, although 63,000 out of a total of 184,000 soldiers are employed in the land forces.

The lack of consideration of the army in armaments investments also has an impact on German obligations in NATO.

The army has already reduced its ambitions: instead of two heavy and one light divisions, according to the key issues paper of the Defense Ministry on the future of the Bundeswehr from mid-May, NATO is only to be given one "large group" with “heavy / mechanized forces” such as the Leopard II and Puma chain armor , plus one with "medium / mobile" and one with "light / air mobile".

But even for this reduced ambition there is still no equipment. The heavy division would require 266 Puma infantry fighting vehicles with the most modern armament. Only 194 are financed in the budget. And hundreds of armored armored vehicles Boxers are missing for both the heavy and the medium division.

Germany has promised NATO a division capable of intensive combat with three brigades by 2027, and three divisions with nine brigades by 2032. In the key issues paper, these points in time are now called into question, they should be “redefined if necessary”. Former NATO General Heinrich Brauss, on the other hand, warns the Federal Government: "For German credibility in the Alliance, it is important to make three divisions really visible and fully equip them - as promised: by 2032," the Lieutenant General (out of service) told WORLD ON SUNDAY.