Germany prepares for potential armed conflict amid fears of Russia's territorial ambitions
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius believes that transformations in the German military are necessary as a Russian attack on a NATO country cannot be completely ruled out. He believes that the German military can be brought to a state of peak readiness for such an extreme scenario within about five years.
11 February 2024 21:12
The General Inspector of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, shares this view. "This doesn't mean that there'll be a war. But it is a possibility," the military official said in an interview with "Welt am Sonntag".
He stressed the need for Germany to expedite the preparation process. "There isn't unlimited time. Taking into account the military potential that Russia is building up, I'd say, in five years we must be ready for war," Breuer stated.
The inspector clarified that war readiness involves "significantly more" than defensive readiness. "Beyond the readiness of personnel and materials, it also involves a necessary shift in mentality that we must undergo," the military official added.
It's not just the Bundeswehr that needs to undergo this transformation, but German society as a whole. As the inspector noted, when military personnel discuss war readiness, it often shocks citizens.
The ultimate goal, according to Breuer, is to "be in a position to defend ourselves, thus increasing the risk for an invading enemy. It's about deterrence," he said.
Breuer also stated that the specifics of these preparations and the areas set to be impacted by the changes should remain confidential. He asserted that some of these planned Bundeswehr operations can be carried out now, while others won't be feasible for "three or four more years."
He emphasised that the German Armed Forces, like the whole of NATO, are undergoing significant transformation. The inspector is, he assured in his interview with "Welt am Sonntag", in continual contact with the supreme NATO commander in Europe, American General Christopher Cavoli.
The aim for Germany is to have an army of 35,000 in a very high state of readiness, with qualifications that match the needs of NATO's new deterrence and defence strategy. By 2027, they plan to have a thoroughly modernized division, well equipped and fully trained.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told "Welt am Sonntag" that the Alliance needs to swiftly enhance and expand its arms industry to ensure supplies for Ukraine and meet its own requirements. He believes that NATO should be prepared for a confrontation with Russia that could last a decade. This suggestion is being taken very seriously by German politicians who are keen to prioritise the development of this sector.
Source: "Welt am Sonntag"
