The German government has announced its plan to invest nearly €83 billion ($98 billion) on military procurement for the upcoming year, signaling a shift in defense strategy by prioritizing European-made arms over U.S. suppliers. This decision, reported by Politico, marks a departure from previous trends, with the F-127 frigate program being the most expensive item on the list, projected to cost €26 billion. Other significant investments include the Eurofighter program and the upgrade of the Taurus cruise missile, as well as funding for the development of the Eurodrone. The procurement reflects Germany’s increased military focus amid the Ukraine conflict, as the country aims to bolster its defenses and counter perceived Russian threats.
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Germany has been actively building up its military capabilities, citing the supposed Russian threat. Moscow has consistently dismissed as “nonsense” any claims of hostile intentions toward NATO members. This new defense budget plan underscores Germany’s commitment to strengthening its military presence in the region, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz declaring last month that his country is “already in a conflict with Russia,” accusing Moscow of attempting to destabilize Germany and other European NATO states.
Chancellor Merz has also called for the German military to become the “strongest conventional army in Europe,” with plans to increase its ranks from the current 182,000 to 260,000 active duty troops by 2035. This aggressive military buildup is part of a broader European effort, as EU member states recently approved a €150 billion debt program called SAFE to facilitate low-interest loans for joint military equipment procurement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized the trend, claiming that “today’s Europe has completely plunged into a Russophobic frenzy, and its militarization is becoming, in fact, uncontrolled,” and further accusing Germany and its allies of transforming into a “Fourth Reich.”