Bundeswehr Association sees Bundeswehr “in free fall”

Dhe Bundeswehr Association sees the troops in bad shape despite the billions in special funds that have been decided. the armed forces do good things on NATO’s eastern flank, on foreign missions and give equipment to Ukraine, said association head André Wüstner on Thursday in the ARD “Morgenmagazin”. But the 100 billion euros from the special fund would first have to be put into contracts. “At the moment we are still in free fall,” said Wüstner. At the same time, the head of the Bundeswehr Association called for the financial resources to be stabilized. For the coming legislative period, 75 billion per year are required, said Wüstner. “Otherwise you don’t even have to start.”

Wüstner spoke before the Bundeswehr conference, which began on Thursday afternoon. The motto of the two-day meeting this year is “The Bundeswehr at a turning point – a critical appraisal in times of war in Europe”. The Federal Minister of Defense will speak there in the afternoon Christina Lambrecht (SPD) and Inspector General Eberhard Zorn. Wüstner also called for more efforts to recruit young people and technical equipment. “You’re going to need a bigger package to attract people to serve in the armed forces.”

Young people in particular today want a perspective of how things will continue after their ten or twelve years of service, said Wüstner. But the Bundeswehr is “the largest temporary work agency”. He also campaigned for service in the troops. “Anyone who decides to serve in the Bundeswehr is a good person.”