{"url":"https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-germans-fight","title":"Can the Bundeswehr fight?","domain":"economist.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/5825466/pexels-photo-5825466.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"bundeswehr","category":"World","language":"en","slug":"352f0573","id":"352f0573-5bc4-426e-904f-6f44c35a2675","description":"Bundeswehr Readiness: The Economist interviews Carsten Breuer, head of Germany's armed forces, on whether the Bundeswehr can fight amid Russia's threat.[[1","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Bundeswehr Readiness:** The Economist interviews Carsten Breuer, head of Germany's armed forces, on whether the Bundeswehr can fight amid Russia's threat.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-bundeswehr-fight)\n- **General's Promise:** Breuer pledges his forces will be war-ready, reflecting growing public respect shown during a flight encounter.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-bundeswehr-fight)\n- **Strategic Shift:** Germany unveils plans for 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists to become Europe's strongest conventional force by 2039.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\n## The story at a glance\nThe Economist assesses Germany's Bundeswehr combat capabilities through an interview with General Carsten Breuer, its top officer. Breuer highlights newfound public support, like a passenger thanking troops on a flight to Düsseldorf. This comes as Defence Minister Boris Pistorius unveils Germany's first standalone military strategy on April 22, 2026, targeting Russia's threat and NATO defence. The timing follows years of rearmament post-Ukraine invasion, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government boosting spending.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-bundeswehr-fight)[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\n## Key points\n- General Carsten Breuer, head of the Bundeswehr, promises in the interview that forces will be “war-ready” despite past readiness shortfalls.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-bundeswehr-fight)\n- Public respect for the military has grown, as shown by civilians thanking Breuer and troops.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-bundeswehr-fight)\n- New military strategy “Verantwortung für Europa” names Russia as primary threat, adopts “one theatre approach” linking NATO, Middle East, Indo-Pacific.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n- Personnel targets: active-duty from 185,420 to **260,000** by mid-2030s; reserves from 60,000 to **200,000**; total **460,000** combat-ready by 2039.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n- Recruitment up: 10% above last year, applications up 20%; conscription fallback if needed under January 2026 law.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n- Capabilities shift to effects-based planning prioritising precision strikes, hypersonic defence, drones; EMA26 cuts bureaucracy with 153 measures.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\n## Details and context\nGermany's Bundeswehr has faced chronic underfunding since the Cold War end, with troop numbers dropping below targets and equipment readiness questioned in past reports. Russia's Ukraine invasion prompted Chancellor Olaf Scholz's 2022 Zeitenwende, creating a €100bn special fund; spending now hits record €108bn for 2026.[[3]](https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/12/02/vmen-d02.html)\n\nPistorius's strategy, presented April 22, elevates reserves for homeland defence and NATO logistics, positioning Germany as Europe's defence pillar. Challenges include procurement delays and global supply strains, like air defence demand from Middle East conflicts.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\nThree-phase rollout: rapid growth to 2029, capabilities to 2035, tech focus beyond 2039. Breuer's interview underscores mindset shift from peacekeeping to high-intensity war preparation.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-bundeswehr-fight)\n\n## Key quotes\n“Rarely has a military strategy been as necessary as in this historical phase.” — Boris Pistorius, Defence Minister.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\nGermany's forces will be “war-ready”. — Carsten Breuer, top general, to The Economist.[[1]](https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-bundeswehr-fight)\n\n## Why it matters\nGermany's push signals Europe's rearmament amid Russian aggression, potentially shifting NATO burdens from the US. For Europeans, it means stronger deterrence but higher taxes and possible conscription affecting youth mobility. Watch recruitment success and procurement timelines, as supply issues could delay war-readiness beyond 2029.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\n## What changed\n(1) Bundeswehr historically underfunded and under-equipped post-Cold War, with readiness reports dismal as late as 2023. (2) Now, first standalone strategy, personnel laws, and funds aim for Europe's top conventional force. (3) Unveiled April 22, 2026.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\n## FAQ\nQ: What is the Bundeswehr's personnel growth plan?\nA: Active-duty expands from 185,420 to 260,000 by mid-2030s; reserves from 60,000 to 200,000, totalling 460,000 combat-ready troops in three phases to 2039. Legislation since January 2026 sets milestones, with conscription if voluntary recruitment fails. Current recruitment exceeds last year by 10%, applications up 20%.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\nQ: How does the new strategy address threats?\nA: Titled “Verantwortung für Europa”, it identifies Russia as primary threat with NATO attack scenarios and adopts a “one theatre approach” linking regions. Capabilities focus on effects like precision strikes and hypersonic defence, not fixed hardware numbers.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\nQ: What changes for the reserves?\nA: Reserves gain equal status to active forces, handling homeland defence and NATO logistics in crisis. Pistorius calls them the “hinge between military and civil society”.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\nQ: What modernisation efforts are underway?\nA: EMA26 includes 153 measures and 580 steps to cut bureaucracy, digitise, use AI, and set expiry dates on regulations. Procurement is funded but faces global supply risks.[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[[1]](https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-bundeswehr-fight)[[2]](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039)","hashtags":["#germany","#bundeswehr","#nato","#russia","#defence","#rearmament"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-germans-fight","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/04/22/can-the-bundeswehr-fight","title":""},{"url":"https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/germany-unveils-strategy-for-becoming-europes-strongest-military-by-2039","title":""},{"url":"https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/12/02/vmen-d02.html","title":""}],"viewCount":5,"publishedAt":"2026-04-22T18:29:21.579Z","createdAt":"2026-04-22T18:29:21.579Z","articlePublishedAt":"2026-04-22T00:00:00.000Z"}