Merz plans historic investment to strengthen Bundeswehr
As the Trump administration presses for a Ukraine ceasefire deal viewed by many as favoring Russia, European leaders are rethinking defense. At the heart of this shift is Germany, where years of underinvestment in the Bundeswehr are being reversed.
Presumptive Chancellor Friedrich Merz has initiated sweeping reforms, backed by a newly modified constitutional debt brake that unlocks up to €600 billion in defense funding over the next decade—equivalent to 3.5% of Germany’s GDP. CNN reports that the country is preparing for its most aggressive military buildup since the Cold War.
Simulated NATO exercises show renewed urgency
During recent NATO drills in central Germany, German Brig. Gen. Ralf Hammerstein said Germany must “step up” as a reliable European partner. The invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a “turning point”—the Zeitenwende—for Berlin’s strategic posture.
Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz initiated the change by establishing a one-off €100 billion fund to modernize the Bundeswehr, but poor execution and political disputes slowed progress. Merz now seeks to accelerate those reforms and hit NATO’s 2% GDP target permanently.
Massive hurdles in recruitment and infrastructure
Despite this newfound ambition, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Eva Högl, paints a grim picture. The Bundeswehr missed its recruitment targets again and now stands at 181,174 troops—well below the 203,000 goal. Facilities remain outdated and understaffed, with an estimated €67 billion needed for infrastructure upgrades.
Hammerstein, who joined as a conscript, supports reintroducing some form of mandatory service to boost numbers. The average age of soldiers has risen to 34, up from 32.4 in 2019.
Public support rises as national mindset evolves
Historically cautious due to its past, Germany’s public is now increasingly supportive of military investment. A March ARD poll showed 66% back increased defense spending, and 59% would accept more national debt to fund security and infrastructure.
“Germany is back,” Merz declared in Berlin. “Germany is making a significant contribution to the defense of freedom and peace in Europe.”