Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) reports that he is now using the term “war capability” less frequently, partially due to the public reaction it provoked. Speaking to “Spiegel,” Pistorius noted that while many people appreciated the significance of the debate and how it moved society at the time, he also realized the word frightened certain individuals. Despite this shift in usage, he confirmed that his core conviction remains unchanged.
In autumn 2023, Pistorius first called for Germany and the Bundeswehr to become “war capable” again, asserting that this was necessary to deter potential adversaries, such as Russia. At the time, he stressed the need for Germany to adjust to the realization that the threat of war in Europe was a genuine possibility. This martial term subsequently drew considerable criticism.
Pistorius long defended the term, maintaining that a clear awareness of the new threat situation was essential in Germany. Later, in 2025, internal directives circulated within the Ministry of Defence suggesting that the term should no longer appear in official documents, recommending “defense capability” instead of “war capability.” Following reports citing these directives in various media outlets, the Ministry ultimately denied that such instructions had been issued.
