Overview

• At the Bundeswehr’s Operational Command in Schwielowsee, Merz cautioned that Germany cannot assume its security is guaranteed given the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine.
• He laid a white rose in the Forest of Remembrance to honor the 119 soldiers killed on foreign deployments and personally thanked troops for their service.
• Merz vowed to regularly visit Bundeswehr sites and engage in direct dialogue with service members to ensure their work is seen and valued.
• The Operatives Führungskommando, visited by Merz, centralizes planning and command for the army, air force, navy and cyber forces and serves as Germany’s liaison to NATO and allied militaries.
• The federal government plans to raise the defense budget to €152.8 billion by 2029, up from €74.5 billion in 2024 and €115.7 billion allocated for 2025.