German Military Faces Shrinking Troop Numbers and Aging Infrastructure

A new report highlights critical shortcomings in Germany's armed forces despite increased defense spending and modernization efforts.

Germany's military, the Bundeswehr, has seen troop numbers decline to 181,174 in 2024, with the average age of personnel rising to 34 years.
A €100 billion special fund established in 2022 has largely been spent, but results in upgrading equipment, infrastructure, and readiness remain limited.
The Bundeswehr continues to face shortages in modern weapons systems, such as combat drones, missile defense, and naval vessels, hampering its operational capabilities.
Military bases suffer from significant infrastructure issues, including disrepair and vulnerabilities to drone overflights and potential sabotage.
Proposals to exempt defense spending from Germany's constitutional debt brake face political hurdles, complicating efforts to address the military's challenges.