“Permanent reversal of direction necessary”
Scholz promises the Bundeswehr more money for years
November 10, 2023, 10:57 a.m
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Germany has been behind the NATO funding target for years. But Chancellor Scholz wants to create an adjustment path and increase funding for the Bundeswehr into the next decade. At the same time, he brushed off concerns that Berlin could withdraw from European armaments projects.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has committed to joint arms projects with France and a long-term increase in German defense spending. The so-called European Sky Shield Initiative for European air defense launched by Germany is a central element for the security of Germany and Europe, he said at a Bundeswehr conference in Berlin. This initiative could be the starting point for much closer arms cooperation in the EU. “With this in mind, we have advanced the FCAS fighter aircraft project with France and Spain and will now also rapidly advance the MGCS main battle tank project with Germany under German leadership and with France.” Scholz countered media reports that Germany could withdraw from the projects. France has so far reacted very reservedly to the European Sky Shield Initiative.
The Chancellor also announced that Germany would increase its defense spending to two percent of its economic output “in the 1930s as well.” “This commitment is valid. It is due to a new security policy reality. That is why we are working on an adjustment path for the defense budget that will ensure this even after the special fund has been spent.” This is not easy, said the former finance minister, with a view to the significant increase in the defense budget required. But there have already been larger tasks in the budget. “We will definitely solve it in such a way that the Bundeswehr gets the resources it needs – even after the special fund expires,” he emphasized. “There is absolutely no question that the turning point that represents Russia’s war of aggression requires a long-term, permanent change of direction.”
“Ukraine war will last long”
The background is that the 100 billion euro special credit line for Bundeswehr procurement projects will expire in the coming years and the two percent target must then be achieved in the normal defense budget. Scholz said that 50 procurement projects for armaments projects would probably go through the Bundestag’s budget committee by the end of the year. Two thirds of the special fund would then be contractually bound.
After Russia’s attack on Ukraine, a long-term change in defense policy is necessary, he added. This requires long-term procurement orders for the industry. This is necessary because there are no signs that Russia is ending its war of aggression against Ukraine and withdrawing troops. “We have to be prepared for the fact that the war could last a very long time,” said Scholz. It is important to develop resilience and protect your own infrastructure against attacks.
At the same time, in view of the debate about the European security architecture, Scholz emphasized that the EU could only make a “small contribution” to him. “Our defense alliance is NATO,” emphasized the SPD politician. He also spoke out against a return to compulsory military service. He was “surprised” by the suspension of compulsory military service. But the Bundeswehr has now been completely reorganized into a professional army. It doesn’t make sense to “unwind” the new structures now.