General Lieutenant Christian Freuding, the Inspector General of the German Army, emphasizes the importance of a close military partnership with the United States. “The Americans have capabilities in reconnaissance, logistics, command and control, and broad weapon systems that we still lack” he told the “Handelsblatt” (Thursday edition). “Therefore we must continue to rely on our alliance with the USA, and we seek that partnership because we believe that the best way to maintain peace in the trans‑Atlantic alliance is through deterrence”.
Freuding said he has developed a very good relationship with his U.S. counterpart, the commander of U.S. Army Forces in Europe and Africa. “We talk almost every week, professionally and with trust” he added.
He views the Army’s rearmament programme as moving in the right direction. For instance, all self‑propelled howitzers loaned to Ukraine will be replaced by the end of the year, and the procurement of main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles is progressing. “As Inspector, I would wish everything could move even faster, but I think we have crossed the abyss” he remarked.
Freuding expects the defence industry to accelerate its production capacity further. “Everyone is looking for speed, but in the weapons sector we are still on the acceleration track” he explained. Supply delays and issues with the implementation of the new digital radio system continue to pose challenges. “We place orders and we need to receive what we agreed upon, in terms of quality and timing” he stressed.
