Europe’s huge spending on military modernization.
The German Radio website reported today on the ambitious plan of the new Chancellor Friedrich Mertz to reform the army. According to the government website, Mertz wants to make the German army the most powerful conventional army in Europe. Such a change is considered a bold move for a country that has historically been cautious about its military power.
The military reforms come at a time when growing security threats, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have led Europe to rethink its defense. With 5 percent of its GDP spent on defense and trying to reach the NATO target, Germany is investing in modernizing equipment, increasing the number of troops, improving cyber capabilities and hybrid warfare.
The report continues that Germany is not the only one under pressure, with other EU countries such as Poland, France and the Baltic states also increasing their defense budgets. Poland is doubling its tanks and missile defenses, while France is simultaneously upgrading its navy and air force. The European Union as a whole is seeing unprecedented defense spending, with countries collaborating on joint projects such as the European Sky Shield air defense initiative.