Germany Acquiring Thousands of New Tanks, Pondering on Crew Recruitment - Shortage of trained tank operators amidst deployment of additional armored vehicles for the Bundeswehr.
The German military, the Bundeswehr, is embarking on a significant modernisation drive, aiming to establish up to seven additional combat brigades within the next decade and acquire 1000 combat tanks and 2500 armoured vehicles by 2035. However, recent developments suggest that the path to achieving these ambitious goals may not be straightforward.
Christian Moelling, a prominent analyst from the Brussels think tank "European Policy Center", has raised concerns about the federal government's tank acquisition plans, suggesting that the lack of clear communication might be hindering progress. Moelling's comments imply that the government may not be keeping pace with the pace of armament projects heading towards Germany.
Moelling's statement also suggests a new philosophy for the build-up of the Bundeswehr: "There will be things that go wrong. But we must at least try." He advocates for the federal government to acquire tanks now and simultaneously try to recruit personnel for them, arguing that the current administrative process in the Ministry of Defense and the procurement office of the Bundeswehr may be slow due to concerns about personal consequences.
The Bundeswehr's current status in terms of acquiring combat tanks and armoured vehicles involves several key developments. The German army aims to have a fleet of 2040 modern tanks by an unspecified date, alongside 0 Puma tracked infantry fighting vehicles. However, only 60% of pledged Leopard 2 tanks have been delivered so far, reflecting persistent equipment shortages.
Recruitment challenges also persist. Despite efforts to increase troop numbers, the Bundeswehr faces difficulties in recruiting and retaining personnel, a critical factor in ensuring that the expanded fleet of modern tanks and armoured vehicles can be effectively operated. The planned increase in defense spending is intended to support both equipment modernisation and personnel expansion, but it remains to be seen how effectively these resources will address the recruitment gap.
Moelling considers the criticism from the opposition that the federal government's tank acquisition plans lack a clear plan to be justified, particularly in terms of communication. He also suggests that the parliament should not control every small armament project due to the large number coming towards Germany.
The Bundeswehr needs to create legal prerequisites for the acquisition of military equipment to ensure speedy implementation without personal consequences. Moelling's comments imply that the current approach to communication by the Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius, and his staff in the Federal Ministry of Defense may be hindering progress due to fear of political risk.
The cost of acquiring these combat equipment is estimated to be 25 billion euros, but specific details on reaching the exact numbers of 1000 combat tanks and 2500 armoured vehicles by 2035 are not readily available in the recent reports. As Germany shifts into high gear in terms of armament, overcoming these challenges will be crucial for the successful modernisation of the Bundeswehr.
The Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament are expected to play a significant role in the financial aspects of the Bundeswehr's modernization drive, given the substantial costs associated with the acquisition of 1000 combat tanks and 2500 armoured vehicles.
Industry and business sectors will undoubtedly be impacted by the increased demand for military equipment, as manufacturers gear up to supply the necessary combat vehicles and tanks.
Politics and general news outlets will likely focus on the policy-and-legislation surrounding the tank acquisition plans, with political analysts like Christian Moelling providing insight into the concerns and potential solutions for the Bundeswehr's modernization process.
