The modernization of the German armed forces could take about 50 years if it continues “at the current sluggish pace,” writes the Financial Times, citing the Bundeswehr’s annual report on the state of the armed forces.
Commissioner for the Armed Forces of Germany Eva Hegl in the report emphasizes that the necessary modernization is hampered by slow defense purchases in the country. At the same time, she praised the creation by Chancellor Olaf Scholz of a special fund for the modernization of the armed forces in the amount of 100 billion euros, within which it was decided to purchase F-35 fighter jets, transport helicopters and combat drones. Yet, as Hegl points out, in 2022 “not a cent came from the special fund.”
“At the current pace [закупок] and the existing framework conditions, it would take about half a century before only the current infrastructure of the Bundeswehr would be completely updated, ”the commissioner emphasized. At the same time, she added that the situation in Ukraine and Germany’s decision to supply weapons to Kyiv “exacerbated the already serious problems with equipping the armed forces.” Hegl urged the authorities to ensure the rapid replacement of delivered equipment, so as not to cause “irreparable damage to the operational readiness of the army.”
At the end of January, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced his intention to create “the most powerful and well-equipped army in the EU.” He argued that it would take several years to achieve this goal.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
