Germany’s top general warns they’re “neither at war nor at peace” with Russia as the country scrambles to triple its military spending after decades of neglect – but is it too little, too late?
At a Glance
- Germany’s Chief of Defense General Carsten Breuer warns the country is in a “gray zone” between peace and war with Russia
- Russia is rapidly rebuilding its military, producing 1,500 tanks annually and expanding to 1.5 million soldiers
- Germany proposes a massive €500 billion fund to repair infrastructure and €100 billion for defense
- Incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz calls for “whatever it takes” approach to defense spending
- European defense experts fear a potential US withdrawal from NATO under Trump would leave Europe vulnerable
Germany’s Alarming Wake-Up Call
Germany is waking up to a troubling reality after years of defense cuts. General Carsten Breuer warns that the country exists in a “twilight zone” with Russia, which is rapidly rebuilding its military, producing 1,500 battle tanks annually and expanding its army to 1.5 million soldiers. In contrast, Germany’s military has suffered from severe underfunding, with reports of troops training with broomsticks instead of real weapons just a few years ago.
Breuer’s assessment raises alarms about Russia potentially confronting NATO by 2029. This is not a distant threat; it’s a clear timeline with just four years ahead. Russia’s strategy includes hybrid warfare, focusing on cyber attacks and disinformation. Breuer highlights that the typical classifications of peace, crisis, or war do not apply to Russia, challenging longstanding Western assumptions.
— Woke Putin 📉 (@ripplebrain) October 30, 2024
The €500 Billion Defense Scramble
Germany’s incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has finally acknowledged the gravity of the situation with a massive proposed funding package. After years of chronically underfunding its military despite being Europe’s economic powerhouse, Germany plans to raise hundreds of billions of euros for defense and infrastructure. The proposed special fund would allocate €500 billion for infrastructure repairs and significantly boost defense spending. It’s a stunning reversal after decades of Germany treating its defense obligations like an unwanted stepchild – all while happily enjoying the protection of American taxpayers.
“In view of the threats to our freedom and peace on our continent, the rule for our defence now has to be ‘whatever it takes’.”
Let’s be honest – the recent push for increased defense spending isn’t due to a sudden patriotic zeal. It’s fueled by panic over Russia’s aggressive behavior and concerns about America’s waning commitment to NATO. Merz’s proposal to exempt defense spending above 1% of GDP from Germany’s strict debt limits highlights this urgency. Achieving this would require a constitutional amendment and a two-thirds parliamentary majority, a significant challenge. But with Russia mass-producing tanks and discussing its historic borders, compromise becomes more feasible.
Europe’s Coming Defense Crisis
The elephant in the room is Europe’s dependence on American military might. For decades, European nations have skimped on defense spending while the US taxpayer footed the bill for their security. Now, with potential changes in American foreign policy looming, European leaders are scrambling like never before. Dr. Fenella McGerty, a defense economist, didn’t mince words when she stated, “The outlook for European defense spending hinges on developments in Germany, as the holder of the region’s largest defense budget.” Translation: if Germany doesn’t step up, Europe is in serious trouble.
“This vote in the Bundestag is absolutely crucial”
Germany’s defense spending rose by 23.2% last year, but it still falls short amid potential U.S. troop reductions. Defense analyst Giuseppe Irto warns that Europe must double its contribution to 0.21% to cover this gap. While Germany aims to expand its military to 460,000 members, developing a capable fighting force requires more than just increased funding after years of neglect; military experience and readiness can’t be achieved overnight.
— Glenn Diesen (@Glenn_Diesen) January 26, 2025
Too Little, Too Late?
Germany’s defense plans face an uncomfortable truth: they may have awakened too late. While Russia has strengthened its military, Western Europe reduced defense budgets for social programs. Germany’s military shrank from nearly 500,000 during the Cold War to about 180,000 today. Meanwhile, Russia has conducted large-scale military exercises and gained combat experience in Ukraine. General Breuer’s remark that “Russia sees war as a continuum and thus uses hybrid warfare” highlights the West’s fundamental misunderstanding of Russia’s approach to conflict.
“Russia sees war as a continuum and thus uses hybrid warfare, which means we are probably not yet at war.”
Europe’s long peace dividend has its cost. Credible military deterrence cannot be achieved through rushed spending and unrealistic goals; it requires consistent investment over decades, which has been neglected since the Berlin Wall fell. Germany’s new commitment to military spending is a positive step, but akin to someone vowing to get fit after years of neglect. Good intentions alone won’t quickly remedy past damage.
