Defense Minister Pistorius was traveling in Scandinavia just in time for Sweden’s long-delayed accession to NATO. There was also talk of compulsory military service, something that hasn’t existed in Germany for years.
What’s a white umbrella doing on a military snowmobile? Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also asked himself this during his visit to the large-scale Scandinavian exercise “Nordic Response”. He visits the snow-covered tent city of German mountain troops near the small town of Alta, on the northern tip of Norway.
The answer: Anyone who sneaks up behind the umbrella in the snow is invisible to the enemy’s thermal imaging cameras, explains one of the mountain soldiers. Thanks to the layer of air between the person and the umbrella. Apparently the Ukrainians, who are necessarily inventive, came up with this.
The company commander asks how long a sniper would otherwise survive there. Two hours at most, estimates mountain hunter Toni, who is a sniper himself. There are no white umbrellas at the Bundeswehr procurement office. And so an inconspicuous screen leads directly to the defense minister’s big problems: Russia’s war against Ukraine, the financing of the Bundeswehr and the reform of the defense apparatus.
Three times Scandinavia, three times NATO
Scandinavia three times: Sweden, Norway, Finland. That means: NATO three times. Since Thursday evening, Sweden has also officially joined in after almost two years of negotiations.
While Pistorius invited people to a reception at the German embassy in Helsinki, there was also a small celebration in honor of the 32nd member of the defense alliance. Unfortunately, Pistorius says, he only experienced Finland’s accession from afar, but now he is in Scandinavia at exactly the right time.
ask for reliability Germany
A topic accompanies Pistorius on his trip that he could have easily done without: a few days before his departure to Scandinavia, a Russian state broadcaster published a wiretapped conversation between high-ranking air force officers. It was about possible deliveries of the “Taurus” cruise missile to Ukraine.
“Taurus” deliveries are not only a controversial topic in parliament, the traffic light partners are also at odds. Finally, the Chancellor tried to put an end to the debate with a word of power.
A journalist from the Swedish daily newspaper “Dagens Nyheter” asks Pistorius whether Germany is still considered a reliable partner. Thank you for your question, replied the Defense Minister in English. Pistorius believes that it is actually impolite to ask such a question to a guest. And then answers it anyway.
“Times of Peace dividend over”
Pistorius has to answer the question of reliability at every stop on his journey: Stockholm, Alta, Helsinki. He assures again and again – supported by his counterparts: Of course Germany is a good, reliable partner.
According to Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen, Russia is constantly trying to spy in many ways and the greatest vigilance is required. That almost sounds like advice to the German Air Force officers.
During a short lecture at the National Defense University in Santahamina near Helsinki, Pistorius prefers to address the elephant in the room directly. And says: Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to divide. Its real enemy is democracy. “The times of the peace dividend are over,” says the SPD politician.
Return to compulsory military service
Above all, Pistorius wants to set a theme with his Scandinavia trip, backed up with picturesque appointments in front of snowmobiles north of the Arctic Circle. He is concerned with a debate about the return to compulsory military service, which has been suspended in Germany for years. Scandinavia as a role model.
A visit to four Norwegian conscripts who – without officers there – protect the almost 200 kilometer long border with Russia from a watchtower: that, says Pistorius, made a lasting impression on him. Not to mention the fact that the 18-year-olds also have to do without cell phones because of Russian spying attempts. Independent action, pride in being chosen for a special task. Men and women serving their country.
Against the shortage of personnel in the Bundeswehr
Pistorius sets the same theme with his visit to the muster authority in Stockholm. Sweden writes to all adults – men and women. In a multi-stage screening process with fitness tests and an intelligence test, almost ten percent of them are finally selected for the service.
He has a “soft spot” for this model, says Pistorius, who has to get a glaring shortage of personnel in the Bundeswehr under control. He envisions compulsory military service and service that goes beyond the purely military. However, he has not yet put his own concept on the table.
An all-encompassing defense
Pistorius does not yet have a catchy German translation for Finland’s concept of “Total Defense”. It’s about the idea that all areas must contribute to national defense. And also every individual: with supplies, for example. You can’t always just point at the state.
Pistorius is also concerned with the question of community spirit in Helsinki. He sees the Finnish role model as being prepared to “fight for your country, without any trace of militarism.” “But Germany is still a long way from that.”
The road there would be a very long one for Germany. The introduction of compulsory military service for women – as in Sweden and Norway – would require a change to the Basic Law and would therefore require a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag. However, there is considerable resistance to the return to compulsory military service from the traffic light partners FDP and Greens as well as within the SPD.
“Leave the comfort zone”
The question of military justice when selecting only a few would also arise again. An officer candidate at the military academy near Helsinki asks how great the resistance is to implementing the new era. How much time do I have to answer, asks Pistorius.
Some people in Germany now have to leave their comfort zone – that is his message. He wants to initiate a social debate. But that could bring him strong headwinds. Especially with the age group that would ultimately have to do service. He is well aware of that.
Sad topic Material procurement
In Alta, Norway, during the Scandinavian maneuver “Nordic Response”, Pistorius talks to one of the mountain troops during a small weapons presentation in the snow. He addresses the vexed topic of material procurement, and this time it’s not just about white umbrellas.
If something was missing, would you tell me? Yes, was the military soldier’s brief answer. Pistorius laughs. “Yes, yes: there are still a few things to do.”