'Most sweeping military reforms' for German Bundeswehr since Cold War

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Apr 2024 10:34

One of the reforms includes a possible revival of compulsory national service.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, on March 20, 2024. (AP)

Germany has announced the "most sweeping military reforms" since the Cold War, which include a possible compulsory national service, to prepare the Bundeswehr, or the country's armed forces, to defend NATO territory, the Financial Times reported.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed on Thursday that a fourth type of armed forces as part of the structural reform will serve as a supplement to the Bundeswehr responsible for activities in the cyber and information space with a new operation command.

He asserted that the reform is intended to make sure Germany and its armed forces are prepared for emergencies, such as war.

The FT cited Pistorius as saying, "It is a landmark reform ... Our goal is to restructure the Bundeswehr in such a way that it is best positioned in the event of defence, in the event of war ... Nobody should have the idea of attacking Nato territory — this is what we [want to] convey."

Pistorius had signed an order in April last year to reorganize the Bundeswehr "from top to bottom" and reestablish it "for a new, old challenge" and enable the military to make "quick decisions".

According to the report, the changes reflect what German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said was a turning point in security after the war in Ukraine, adding that officials in the military have been allotted six months to implement the changes with one high-priority demand being that the Bundeswehr be made ready for compulsory national service if reintroduced.

A model of national service for young adults by the Defense Ministry will be provided in the coming weeks, it added.

Too many eggs in one basket

At a press conference on Thursday as well, Pistorius stated that the Bundeswehr requires an additional 6.5 billion euros ($7.1 billion) beyond the allocated budget for 2025.

"It is no secret, this figure has been called: we need about 6.5 billion euros more next year," Pistorius said.

In June 2022, the German parliament supported Scholz's proposal to establish a dedicated fund of 100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr, meant to position the German army as the largest regular army in Europe following a modernization effort.

On Tuesday, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg proposed establishing a $100 billion Ukraine aid fund with contributions from the allies over the next five years.

This came just two days after Germany revealed the allocation of €576 million for Ukraine to replenish its artillery shell supply, amid a severe shortage that is affecting its performance on the frontlines.

Last month, Pistorius revealed an independent 478 million euro package to Ukraine.