The German Reservists’ Association is issuing a stark warning to policymakers, arguing that the Bundeswehr’s ambitious plans to mobilize 200,000 reservists are hollow without a concurrent and substantial investment in equipment and infrastructure. Patrick Sensburg, the association’s president, emphasized in an interview with “Bild am Sonntag” that the current approach risks creating a force “only on paper” failing to meet the increasingly urgent needs of NATO capabilities.
Sensburg highlighted a disconnect between the scale of the mobilized reserve force and the reality of its readiness. He stressed that these reservists should not be viewed as auxiliary support, but as experienced professionals – individuals intimately familiar with the Bundeswehr and capable of immediate deployment. This mandates significantly more than personnel alone.
“They must be well-trained, consistently practicing their skills and fully equipped – possessing everything the active troops require” Sensburg asserted. This includes considerations from adequate housing and robust armaments to a sufficient supply of ammunition and access to modern training grounds. The association maintains that the reserve component should not be inferior to the active force in any functional capacity.
The call represents a pointed critique of the Bundeswehr’s current strategic planning, suggesting that while intentions are commendable, the practical execution requires a parallel commitment to logistical support and material provisioning. Sensburg underscored the urgency of the situation, urging a swift and decisive action – not just for the active troops, but equally and crucially, for the reserve forces central to Germany’s evolving security posture. Critics argue that failing to address these tangible shortcomings will undermine the credibility of Germany’s commitment to NATO and potentially compromise its ability to respond effectively to emerging threats.
