Status: 09/16/2022 1:01 p.m
According to Olaf Scholz, the Bundeswehr should return to its core task: protection and defense. Not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. The Chancellor is aware that this requires more equipment and money.
The Bundeswehr has to change, has to become stronger – Chancellor Olaf Scholz wanted to make this clear “in plain language” in his speech at the Bundeswehr Conference in Berlin. From his point of view, the beginning has been made, the path taken is the right one, but there are still many “ability gaps” in the troops that need to be filled.
In the recent past, the Bundeswehr has taken on various domestic tasks, be it support during the corona pandemic or after the flood disaster last year. But now she has to concentrate on her core task again – national and collective defense, Scholz warned, citing a statement from the Munich Security Conference in February this year:
Airplanes that fly, ships that can set sail and soldiers that are optimally equipped for their dangerous tasks – that’s what a country of our size, which bears a special responsibility in Europe, must be able to achieve.
Christoph Mestmacher, ARD Berlin, on the Federal Chancellor’s speech at the Bundeswehr conference
tagesschau24 12:00 p.m., 16.9.2022
Protection as a matter of course
A few days after the security conference, the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. A war that made the situation even worse. “A highly armed nuclear power is trying to redraw borders in Europe,” Scholz warned, and “we have to be prepared for the fact that Russia will face Europe and NATO as an opponent for the foreseeable future.”
All the more important for the Chancellor that the Bundeswehr can guarantee protection, that must be a matter of course. But Scholz is also aware: “The Bundeswehr’s capability gaps are large.” And better equipment alone is not enough to eliminate these shortcomings, a real paradigm shift is needed.
But in order to close the most pressing gaps, equipment is one of the top priorities. Ammunition, spare parts, repairs – according to Scholz, all of this is needed, as well as military equipment such as fighter jets or a successor to the Marder tank.
“Status quo plus special assets is not enough”
The federal government wants to finance this with the help of the special fund decided by the Bundestag at the beginning of June: 100 billion euros to cover the “ability gaps” of the troops. In his speech in Berlin, Scholz made it clear with a look to the future: “The status quo plus special assets is not enough.”
“Don’t think that the special fund is an exception – and then everything will be the same as before,” emphasized Scholz, also referring to his government’s goal of increasing the annual defense budget to at least two percent of gross domestic product. “You can plan with it,” assured Scholz.
Bundeswehr as a “pillar” for defense in Europe
The SPD Chancellor believes that the Bundeswehr does not only have to be well armed to protect Germany. But also to play a stronger role in NATO. “Germany is ready to take on responsibility in a leading position,” said Scholz. The Bundeswehr should become a “pillar” for the defense of Europe and the “best equipped armed force in Europe”.
From the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, German troops would have played a crucial role in securing the border in Eastern Europe. And that responsibility will increase from next year, with the leadership of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, NATO’s “spearhead.” A “Herculean task”, as Scholz calls it. And the Bundeswehr must also be equipped accordingly.
Scholz for common European armament
Think European and work together – Scholz cites this principle not only with regard to the Bundeswehr, but also in relation to the armaments industry in the EU countries. He criticized the “completely confusing number of armaments” and the competition that prevails between armaments companies within Europe. Instead, a “common European armament” must be made possible. Weapon systems should be jointly developed, used and exported. To do this, Germany must put its strict “national reservations and regulations” to the test and reform them.
Thinking European – this should also address the problems that have become clear as a result of the Russian war against Ukraine. The over-dependence on Russian energy resources, for example. Or lack of technical skills to protect against cyber attacks.
“We have to think much more comprehensively about security in the 21st century,” warned Scholz. And the Bundeswehr also needs a “change in thinking at all levels”, coupled with “confidence and willingness to take risks” for change, in order to do justice to the new role – in Germany, in Europe and in NATO.