Overview

• 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.