Germany is facing growing calls to increase its military spending amid fears severe equipment shortages have left its armed forces unable to respond to the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
“If you want peace you must prepare for war,”André Wüstner, the head of the country’s influential Armed Forces Association, said on Sunday, calling for defence spending to be increased by €1 billion (£740 million).
The call comes just weeks after the German parliament’s Military Commissioner, Hellmut Königshaus, warned that unless military spending is increased, Germany’s armed forces will be unable to fulfil their mission.
It emerged last year that equipment shortages are much more serious than was previously thought, and the defence minister, Ursula von der Leyen, was forced to admit that Germany could not meet all its Nato commitments.
A report to parliament disclosed that only 42 of Germany’s 109 Typhoon fighters are available for immediate use because of maintenance issues.
Only 38 of its 89 Tornado bombers are operational, alongside only 280 of the army’s 406 Marten tanks.
The debate in Germany comes against the backdrop of concern that Europe is too reliant on the US for defence.
The US and Germany’s other Nato allies have long called for it to increase its defence budget. Under an agreement, Nato members are supposed to spend two per cent of its GDP on defence, but Germany only spends 1.3 per cent.
“In order to achieve full operational readiness of the armed forces, we must gradually increase the defence budget over the next few years, starting with €1 billion in 2016,” said Mr Wüstner.
“Otherwise, we risk losing the trust of our allies that we have only just regained.” The Armed Forces Association has around 200,000 members, made of serving and former servicemen, together with reservists and civilian employees of the armed forces.
Germany's head of Armed Forces Association: If you want peace, prepare for war - Telegraph
“If you want peace you must prepare for war,”André Wüstner, the head of the country’s influential Armed Forces Association, said on Sunday, calling for defence spending to be increased by €1 billion (£740 million).
The call comes just weeks after the German parliament’s Military Commissioner, Hellmut Königshaus, warned that unless military spending is increased, Germany’s armed forces will be unable to fulfil their mission.
It emerged last year that equipment shortages are much more serious than was previously thought, and the defence minister, Ursula von der Leyen, was forced to admit that Germany could not meet all its Nato commitments.
A report to parliament disclosed that only 42 of Germany’s 109 Typhoon fighters are available for immediate use because of maintenance issues.
Only 38 of its 89 Tornado bombers are operational, alongside only 280 of the army’s 406 Marten tanks.
The debate in Germany comes against the backdrop of concern that Europe is too reliant on the US for defence.
The US and Germany’s other Nato allies have long called for it to increase its defence budget. Under an agreement, Nato members are supposed to spend two per cent of its GDP on defence, but Germany only spends 1.3 per cent.
“In order to achieve full operational readiness of the armed forces, we must gradually increase the defence budget over the next few years, starting with €1 billion in 2016,” said Mr Wüstner.
“Otherwise, we risk losing the trust of our allies that we have only just regained.” The Armed Forces Association has around 200,000 members, made of serving and former servicemen, together with reservists and civilian employees of the armed forces.
Germany's head of Armed Forces Association: If you want peace, prepare for war - Telegraph
. But... I'm seeing some killer sideburns
. Germany needs more beard though.
