Report from Berlin: Pistorius defends higher military budget

In the Report from Berlin Defense Minister Pistorius has confirmed that the army needs more money – but social issues must not be allowed to get under the wheels. Labor Minister Heil continues to assume that basic child security will come before the election.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has confirmed that the Bundeswehr needs more money than before, “because otherwise we would not be able to carry out the tasks that have not been carried out for 30 years,” he said Report from Berlin.

He emphasized that this also applies to the period after the Russian war against Ukraine. Above all, those who demanded weapons for Ukraine, but didn’t think about what the Bundeswehr would look like afterwards, must understand that. The SPD politician wants to increase the defense budget by ten billion euros. Where the money is to come from must now be negotiated with the Ministry of Finance, he said.

Almost a third of the special fund is planned

Army inspector Alfons Mais had previously said that the special fund of over 100 billion euros would not be enough to fully equip the Bundeswehr. According to Pistorius, around 30 billion euros from the pot are “contractually bound”, i.e. specifically intended to be spent. In fact, the money has not yet been spent, since payment is usually only made after delivery.

Pistorius replied to critics who called for a reform of the procurement structures before the budget grew any further, saying that he first wanted to simplify internal rules. No laws would have to be changed for this. “This is the first step and it will ensure acceleration.” If nothing else comes up, supply contracts for new self-propelled howitzers should be concluded by the end of March.

Pistorius emphasized that social issues should not be neglected during the negotiations on the defense budget in the coalition. “We must not play off military necessities, which are new again, against important social projects.” A way had to be found – “and in the political business that usually consists of compromises,” said Pistorius.

Basic child security until the next election

His party and minister colleague Hubertus Heil also referred to the Report from Berlin that the budget deliberations would not be held in public. He stands for the special fund for the Bundeswehr. According to Heil, the Ministry of Social Affairs under Lisa Paus is supported by him and his Ministry of Labor in the large-scale child protection project that was agreed upon in the coalition.

The project is complex and technical issues are currently being clarified, said Heil. However, he confirmed that the basic child security should come into force in this legislative period.