Merz: Germany Will Build Strongest Conventional Army in Europe
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 1:09 pm
Germany Vows to Build Europe's Strongest Army: A New Era for the Bundeswehr
Germany is embarking on a significant military transformation, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowing to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional army in Europe. This bold commitment, announced in his first address to the Bundestag, signals a major shift in Germany's defense posture, driven by the ongoing war in Ukraine and a desire to deter further aggression.
Merz emphasized the importance of strength in deterring potential threats, stating that weakness invites aggression. This commitment includes providing the military with the necessary financial resources and introducing a new volunteer military service.
This move comes as European allies, and the United States, have been urging increased military spending and capability improvements to counter a more assertive Russia. Germany has already begun to shed its historical reluctance to demonstrate military strength, a shift accelerated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Berlin has significantly increased its defense spending and provided substantial military aid to Ukraine.
Germany's commitment is already evident in its actions. German troops are now deployed on Russia's border in Lithuania, marking the first permanent foreign deployment since World War II. This unit, expected to be fully operational by 2027, is stationed along NATO's eastern flank.
While the Bundeswehr currently has around 181,600 active personnel, Germany ranks third in military power within the EU, behind Italy and France, and sixth within NATO. The planned increase in defense spending is likely to be welcomed by the United States, which has been advocating for NATO allies to meet or exceed the 2% GDP defense spending target.
Chancellor Merz has also pledged continued strong support for Ukraine, while reiterating that Germany will not become a direct party to the war. He underscored the importance of the war's outcome in determining the future of law and order in Europe and the world.
BNN's Perspective: This is a significant development. While the shift towards a stronger German military is understandable given the current geopolitical climate, it's crucial to balance this with diplomatic efforts and a commitment to international cooperation. A strong defense is necessary for security, but it should not come at the expense of dialogue and peaceful resolutions. The focus on volunteer service is a positive step, but the success of this initiative will depend on its implementation and the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.
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