Concerns are being raised regarding the pace and scope of reforms within the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr. Prominent military expert Sönke Neitzel has voiced criticism of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, acknowledging Pistorius’s effectiveness in communicating the necessity of increased defense spending to the public, while simultaneously questioning the actual changes being implemented.
Neitzel, a Professor of Military History at the University of Potsdam, argues that fundamental issues remain unaddressed. He specifically points to the Bundeswehr’s extensive bureaucracy and oversized administrative structures as impediments to progress, suggesting the current state prevents the deployment of soldiers with confidence.
The assessment comes against a backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions. Neitzel highlights Russia’s significant military buildup, noting that despite losses sustained in Ukraine, Moscow maintains a standing army of 1.2 million personnel. He cautions that this advantage will only last until NATO catches up, defining the next three years as particularly precarious. This timeframe presents a window of opportunity for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who may be calculating on the possibility of reduced US involvement in potential conflicts, for example in the Baltic region.
Neitzel has advocated for a revised model of conscription, proposing a system mirroring Sweden’s approach. This would involve a mandatory assessment of all citizens, with potential conscription to fill gaps in volunteer numbers after a minimum 12-month service commitment. He alleges resistance to this proposal from elements within the Social Democratic Party (SPD) is obstructing broader reform efforts, labeling it a “fatal blocking” of government policy.
