NATO summit: Germany's military faces new challenges – DW – 06/23/2025

More money for defense, more troops: At a summit in The Hague, NATO wants to set ambitious goals. What does this mean for the Germany's military, the Bundeswehr?
Even before the NATO summit kicks off in The Hague on Tuesday 24, one thing is clear: The alliance's ambitious goals will place heavy demands on Germany. It's true that Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that he will provide all the necessary financial resources to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional army in Europe. However, NATO's new goals are ambitious: The plan is for member states to spend 5% of their economic output on defense. Until now, it has been 2% — which is what Germany currently spends on defense.
It was US President Donald Trump who first proposed the target of 5%. He threatened Europe's NATO allies, saying that if they continued paying as little as they had so far, the US would refuse to provide assistance. In fact, in 2024, the US alone covered two-thirds of the defense spending of all NATO member states.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
In many European countries, Trump's demand was met with skepticism, and many said 5% was far too high. In 2024, some countries were far away from even meeting the 2% target. A few days before the summit, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that the entire NATO alliance would meet the 2% target by 2025.
But this is only supposed to be the first step towards even higher spending. New guidelines of 5% are to be announced at the summit in The Hague. The German government also supports the figure proposed by Rutte: 3.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) is to be spent on defense and 1.5% on infrastructure that may also be relevant to defense. This could include railways, bridges or ports. The total of 5% is to be achieved by 2032.
For Germany and its strong economy, that would be a gigantic sum, estimated at €225 billion ($258 billion) per year. Last year, the total federal budget was €476 billion.
Chancellor Merz has emphasized that the continued advancement of military capabilities is the top priority.
However not everyone in his coalition government is convinced. "We think it's irrational to set a percentage of GDP for military spending," wrote a group of left-wing SPD members in their manifesto on peacekeeping in Europe. They said there was, "no security policy justification" for this. Parts of the opposition also sharply criticized the idea.
In view of the threat posed by Russia, Bundeswehr experts see good reasons to invest more money in the armed forces, which have been neglected for decades. "It's not about pleasing the Americans, nor is it about lining the pockets of the arms industry. It's in Germany's national interest to be capable of defending itself," security expert Aylin Matle from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) told DW. She said that the federal government has a responsibility to explain why this is necessary. Nevertheless, she agreed that 5% of economic output is "an insane amount."
In addition to finances, the NATO summit will also focus on military capabilities. Additional troops are needed in Europe, both as a show of strength to Russia and in response to President Trump's announcement that he intends to reduce the US presence in Europe.
What does this mean for the German armed forces? Between 50,000 and 60,000 additional soldiers are needed, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius explained in Brussels at the beginning of June.
The NATO defense ministers first set the alliance's new capability targets at their meeting in June. While the details are confidential, Pistorius has announced plans to form and fully equip large, new military units. "This will be a major undertaking," he said. Under discussion are five to seven new brigades, each with 5,000 soldiers, tanks, artillery and associated logistics.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
How the German army plans to recruit tens of thousands of additional career soldiers in the coming years remains unclear for the time being. It currently has a force of around 182,000 soldiers and is actively recruiting new personnel. "We currently have good personnel numbers, good recruitment figures, and good applicant numbers. That is encouraging," said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense at the beginning of June. In recent years, the number of soldiers has declined despite all recruitment efforts.
Conscription, which was suspended in Germany in 2011, could be an effective means of recruiting personnel. There are no plans to reinstate it for the time being. This was agreed upon by the government coalition partners. "We are creating a new, attractive military service that will initially be based on voluntary enlistment," it says in the coalition agreement. The word "conscription" does not appear in it.
In view of NATO's increased requirements, there are growing calls within the conservative coalition partners, the Christian Democrats (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) to start preparing for the reintroduction of compulsory military service. But Chancellor Friedrich Merz is holding back. For the time being, the agreement in the coalition contract will remain in place. "We will have to look closely at whether attractiveness programs and voluntary service are sufficient. If voluntary service is not sufficient, then we will have to discuss additional steps very soon," it says.
In this regard, Merz and his defense minister, Pistorius, are on the same page. Pistorius stresses that, "conscription is of no use to us at present because we lack enough barracks and training facilities. Therefore, these capacities must be expanded. Until then, voluntary service will remain in place."
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Security expert Matle is skeptical that a voluntary military service plan could really work long-term. "It'll be scrapped pretty quickly," she predicted. Especially since the pressure on Germany could grow again if the US does really pull its troops out of Europe.
The Trump administration has already announced its intentions to do just that. More detailed information on this is not expected until after the NATO summit. Matlé suspects that the cards could then be reshuffled once again. "The Europeans, including Germany, would then be faced with the question of how to make up for this." But she believes that even if this means that even more troops will be needed in Europe, it is "not very likely that Germany will be able to increase its troop numbers significantly in the next few years."While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter, Berlin Briefing.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

DW

an hour ago

• DW

Most Germans want independent European nuclear deterrent – DW – 06/23/2025

A majority of Germans have backed calls for an independent nuclear deterrent to shield Europe. The poll shows broad support for reducing reliance on the US amid growing unease. Follow DW for the latest news from Germany. Nearly two-thirds of Germans now back the idea of a European nuclear deterrent that doesn't rely on the US, according to a new Forsa poll. Support stands at 64%, with solid backing across age groups, regions, and party lines — something rare in German foreign policy debates. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had already floated the idea before taking office, eyeing talks with France and the UK to build a joint nuclear strategy for Europe amid Trump-era uncertainty. from a cloudy . Welcome to DW's coverage of developments in Germany on Monday, June 23. A study has found that most Germans are in favor of Europe developing a nuclear deterrent that is independent of the United States. Almost two-thirds of people who were asked said they were in favor of a shared nuclear strategy for Europe. The aim would be to reduce Europe's reliance on the US nuclear umbrella, especially amid concerns over the unpredictability of President Donald Trump. Stay with us here to keep up with the latest news from Germany.

Local Germany

an hour ago

• Local Germany

How will Germany's extra border checks impact travel this summer?

What's happening? Germany has had reinforced border checks in place at all land borders since autumn 2024. This shift was initially introduced under then-Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) as a temporary six-month measure. The checks are aimed at enforcing the new government's policy of pushing back anyone trying to enter Germany without the necessary documents, including most asylum seekers. However, since the government changed in spring 2025, Faeser's successor, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), has significantly expanded the policy. Germany now carries out checks at all land borders. Hundreds of additional police officers have been stationed at key crossings, particularly busy ones such as Frankfurt an der Oder (Poland) and Kiefersfelden (Austria). The new measures include mobile units and temporary checkpoints, including at minor crossings. These changes are expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future. Advertisement Every land border is affected. German authorities have imposed additional checks at the borders with France , Denmark , Belgium , the Netherlands , Luxembourg , Poland , the Czech Republic and Switzerland . In addition, Germany has been carrying out spot checks at the border with Austria since 2015. READ ALSO: Which European countries currently have extra border checks in place? The enhanced checks mean many travellers going into Germany are asked to present documents – a situation the creation of the borderless Schengen Area was meant to avoid. What about Germany's neighbours? Two states bordering Germany have imposed similar restrictions. In the Netherlands , Dutch authorities are conducting random checks along the border with Germany. Checks also occur on some international trains and flights. In France , authorities have imposed random checks on travellers entering by road, air, rail and sea. Advertisement Free movement continues into Germany's seven other neighbours, according to the EU Commission . In practice, that means that travellers coming from Denmark , Belgium , Luxembourg , Poland , the Czech Republic , Austria and Switzerland will likely only be checked going into Germany. What do the enhanced checks mean for me? Travellers planning a holiday abroad this summer should expect identity checks and delays, particularly if travelling by land. Commuters and frequent travellers may face delays, especially at major crossings during peak times. Wait times of over 30 minutes at road crossings are becoming increasingly common, according to motoring groups. Major delays have been reported at road crossings including: Suben (Austria) Walserberg (Austria) Kehl (France) Breitenau/Schönwald (Czech Republic) Frankfurt an der Oder (Poland) Konstanz (Switzerland) Even smaller border towns like Selb, Schirnding, and Waidhaus (all on the Czech border) are seeing longer wait times. Trains may also be stopped at the border, while arrivals on flights from Schengen countries may also be checked. What documents do I need? If stopped, you'll need to present a passport or ID card valid for at least three more months. If you are a non-EU national resident in Germany, it's a good idea to have your residency card or visa to hand too. This rule applies regardless of whether you're traveling by road, rail, or air. Why are controls back? The Schengen Agreement, signed in 1985, aimed to abolish border checks among many EU states. However, it allows governments to reimpose controls when they deem public security to be at risk. States including Germany, France, and the Netherlands now argue that current levels of illegal migration justify such measures.

Int'l Business Times

2 hours ago

• Int'l Business Times

Iran Vows Retaliation For US Strikes As Israel Keeps Up Attacks

Tehran threatened on Monday to inflict "serious" damage in retaliation for US strikes on the Islamic republic's nuclear facilities, as the Iran-Israel war entered its 11th day despite calls for de-escalation. Aerial assaults meanwhile raged on, with air raid sirens sounding across Israel and AFP journalists reporting several blasts were heard over Jerusalem. The Israeli military said it had struck missile sites in western Iran as well as "six Iranian regime airports" across the country, destroying fighter jets and helicopters. President Donald Trump said US warplanes used "bunker buster" bombs to target sites in Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, boasting the strikes had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities. Other officials said it was too soon to assess the true impact on Iran's nuclear programme, which Israel and some Western states consider an existential threat. Iranian armed forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari said on state television that the US "hostile act", following more than a week of Israeli bombardments, would "pave the way for the extension of war in the region". "The fighters of Islam will inflict serious, unpredictable consequences on you with powerful and targeted (military) operations," he warned. Global markets reacted nervously, with oil prices jumping more than four percent early Monday. China urged both Iran and Israel to prevent the conflict from spilling over, warning of potential economic fallout. Oman, a key mediator in the stalled Iran-US nuclear talks, condemned the US strikes and called for calm. "Future generations will not forget that the Iranians were in the middle of a diplomatic process with a country that is now at war with us," said ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. Britain, France and Germany called on Iran "not to take any further action that could destabilise the region". As the world awaited Iran's response, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the bombing campaign Israel launched on June 13 "a big mistake". US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on China to help deter Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for one-fifth of the world's oil supply. With Iran threatening US bases in the region, the State Department issued a worldwide alert cautioning Americans abroad. In central Tehran on Sunday, protesters waved flags and chanted slogans against US and Israeli attacks. In the province of Semnan east of the capital, 46-year-old housewife Samireh said she was "truly shocked" by the strikes. "Semnan province is very far from the nuclear facilities targeted, but I'm very concerned for the people who live near," she told AFP. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the US strikes revealed Washington was "behind" Israel's campaign against the Islamic republic and vowed a response. After the Pentagon stressed the goal of American intervention was not to topple the Iranian government, Trump openly toyed with the idea. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. "But if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???" Hours later he doubled down on emphasising the success of his strikes. "Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!" Trump wrote, without sharing the images he was referencing. At a Pentagon press briefing earlier in the day, top US general Dan Caine said "initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said his country's bombardments would "finish" once the stated objectives of destroying Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities have been achieved. "We are very, very close to completing them," he said. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed more than 400 people, Iran's health ministry said. Iran's attacks on Israel have killed 24 people, according to official figures. "Armed attacks on nuclear facilities should never take place," he added. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, had accused the United States of deciding to "blow up" nuclear diplomacy with its intervention in the war. While Russia condemned the Israeli and US strikes, it has not offered military help and has downplayed its obligations under a sweeping strategic partnership agreement signed with Tehran just months ago. On Sunday, Russia, China and Pakistan circulated a draft resolution with other Security Council members that calls for an "immediate ceasefire" in Iran. Commuters drive past an anti-Israel billboard in Tehran AFP After the Pentagon stressed that the goal of American intervention was not to topple the Iranian government, Trump openly toyed with the idea AFP Protesters march in New York city against the US strikes against Iran as fears grow of a wider Middle East conflict AFP