Germany has taken a radical turn in its foreign and defense policy. After reaching an agreement with the opposition to modify the Constitution, the chancellor Olaf Scholz he will keep his promise to raise military spending.
With the war in Ukraine in the background, Berlin commits to invest a total of 100,000 million euros in modernizing its army (Bundeswehr). In fact, it is the largest rearmament operation that the German country has carried out since the Second World War. The tripartite that makes up the German Executive reached an agreement with the Christian Democrats, the main opposition party, for the creation of the fund.
“This is a big step for our country. This measure will contribute to greater security for Germany and EuropeScholz argued at an event held in Hannover. For the renewal of the armed forces to become a reality, it is essential that two-thirds of the Bundestag (German Lower House) and the Bundesrat (Upper House) vote in favor.
In this way, Germany will be able to increase the budget item up to 70,000 million annually, with the objective of complying with the 2% contribution from Gross Domestic Product to Defense, an essential NATO requirement for its member states. The incumbent Minister, Christine Lambrecht, specified in what said money will be invested. We have identified what we need to ensure the Alliance’s and national defense for the future.”
The investment, focused on Bundeswehrwill go to the purchase of night vision equipment, radio equipment, as well as heavy-lift helicopters and combat aircraft to replace the current ones, called Tornado.
190 million earmarked for Ukraine in military aid
Germany has allocated a total of 190 million euros in military aid to Ukraine, especially weapons and equipment during the first month and a half of the war. Berlin supplied 50 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks at the end of April. In addition, during these months they have provided anti-aircraft missiles and ammunition to the Ukrainian troops.
One of the problems Germany has run into in recent years is the underfunding of the military. The Russian offensive in Ukraine changed the initial strategy of Berlin, which was not to supply arms to regions or countries in conflict. From the high command they argued that, in the event that the country suffered an attack, it would not be in a position to defend itself with current resources. A situation that changes completely after this decision.