Persistent Stance of the German Military: Inspectors Urge for Additional Troops
The Federal Court of Auditors has criticized a perceived "head-heaviness" in Germany's military, the Bundeswehr, and urged the Ministry of Defense to increase the number of troops for the core mission. In a special report, the budget watchdog also cautioned against the risk of inflated prices in the defense sector due to unlimited financial means and growing demand.
The Bundeswehr's realignment in response to the threat from Russia initially allocated a special fund of €100 billion and relaxed the debt brake for defense spending. However, the report by the Federal Court of Auditors highlights the need for action that goes beyond armament, infrastructure, and operations.
"Defense-essential tasks must be separated from lesser ones. Significant changes in organization and personnel are still necessary to make the Bundeswehr fit for its core mission with more troops," warns Kay Scheller, President of the Federal Court of Auditors.
The report shows that the armed forces have lost around 60,000 military positions since 2010, corresponding to a decrease of 24 percent. While positions for enlisted and non-commissioned officer ranks decreased by 40 and 20 percent, respectively, the number of positions for officer and staff officer ranks increased by 5 percent. The proportion of officer and staff officer positions in the military has thus grown from 15 percent in 2010 to 21 percent in 2024.
Despite several tens of thousands of service positions in the Bundeswehr still being provided for tasks that may not be necessary during national and alliance defense, the auditors deem this magnitude unacceptable. They also criticize the practice of assigning tasks to higher-ranking or better-paid soldiers to increase the attractiveness of these positions, which has led to an increase in the overall average age of the military personnel.
The Federal Court of Auditors also criticized the ministry's financial management, finding that it had not become leaner as planned. In contrast to announced and previously achieved reductions, the department now roughly maintains its size from 2012.
Regarding defense spending, the Federal Court of Auditors questions the sustainability of a budget mostly funded through debt. They express concern that expenditures of €96 billion in 2028, which would represent two percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), and €144 billion in 2028, equivalent to three percent of the GDP, may not guarantee a solid and sustainable defense capability.
The auditors also highlight the importance of ensuring that individual plan 14, which finances the defense budget, does not include "defense-remote" expenditures, such as infrastructure projects with no or indirect connection to defense capability, like a highway bridge suitable for military transports but primarily intended for civilian traffic.
- The critique by the Federal Court of Auditors extends beyond the defense industry, as they suggest the need for restructuring in the Bundeswehr's general business operations, including personnel allocation and financial management, to ensure a strong and sustainable defense capability.
- As the defense sector becomes increasingly influenced by politics and economics, with growing demand driving potential inflation, it is crucial for the Bundeswehr to closely monitor its financial resources to avoid unnecessary expenditures, such as defense-remote projects that do not directly enhance military capabilities.
- The sports industry and other sectors may draw parallels from the Bundeswehr's challenges, as both face the pressure of maintaining a competitive edge while managing resources efficiently, ensuring that essential tasks are prioritized and adequately funded for the long-term success of their respective industries.
