According to German military officials, lawmakers, and defense experts interviewed by Reuters, the German army's readiness has decreased since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Issues such as a lack of air defense, artillery, and soldiers are expected to persist for years, even if defense spending increases under a new government.
Colonel Andre Wuestner from the German Armed Forces Association stated that before the Ukraine conflict, there were eight brigades at 65% readiness. Due to support to Ukraine and increased drills, the readiness of German land forces has decreased to around 50%.
Efforts to revamp Germany's military, as promised by Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the invasion, are facing significant obstacles. Plans to provide NATO with two divisions by 2025 and 2027 are encountering setbacks, as sources indicate challenges with urgency, procurement systems, and financial strain.
An anonymous military source mentioned that equipping a NATO division by 2027 is unattainable at the moment, with only about 20% progress made. The lack of air defenses is a critical concern, with calls for increased defense spending to 3% of GDP and the reintroduction of conscription being proposed as potential solutions.
While Germany's readiness challenges become more apparent, there is growing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for European nations to enhance their defense capabilities. The need for increased military spending and better preparedness is emphasized by the evolving geopolitical landscape and security threats.