German armed forces 'lack everything', even helmets: Commissioner
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The representative of the German military at the parliament says the army only received a fraction of the 100 billion euros defense budget promised by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
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Herman Bundeswehr soldiers of the NATO enhanced forward presence battalion at Lithuania's Rukla military base on February 22, 2022 (AP)
The representative of the German army in the parliament, Eva Hoegl, warned that the military "lacks everything", slamming the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for unfulfilling his promise to replenish the Bundeswehr's arms stocks that he handed over to Ukraine.
In December 2020, Hoegl announced days before taking charge as commander of NATO's Rapid Reaction Force that the armed forces have crucial equipment deficiencies.
"Personal equipment such as helmets, backpacks, protective vests, as well as small and large equipment - from radios, ammunition, to tanks," adding then that "the Bundeswehr has too little of almost everything."
Read more: Germany behind on NATO's obligations for number of combat-ready tanks
During the interview, the MEP said the lack of equipment, even fitting helmets, is obstructing the training and readability of the army.
"The Bundeswehr lacks everything, from personal items, such as personal equipment, small devices, night-vision equipment, radios, to larger devices. Our soldiers have to deal with shortages daily. This is hindering education and training," she said.
The armed forces only received a fraction of the 100 billion euros ($107 billion) military budget promised by Scholz, Hoegl revealed, adding that the overall condition of the army's infrastructures is in a miserable state, first of which are the barracks.
Read more: $100 billion not enough to modernize armed forces: German MoD
The Commissioner commended the position of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to which he admitted that the country's army is incapable of defending anyone if a war is to start as it is understaffed and does not have enough infrastructure.
The Commissioner said she will present these shortages before the parliament on Tuesday.
Read next: German Chief of Staff sacked for doubting Ukraine's army last year
