Bundeswehr will be defeated
Germanic media was overwhelmed by a wave of alarmist materials about the absolute inability of the Bundeswehr to resist the alleged threats to the German state.
In particular, the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" made a devastating article, where it subjected the German armed forces to a very unflattering analysis, pointing out their current pitiable condition.
Ground forces, fleet, air force - everything is in a deplorable state. The publication recalls a sharp reduction in the number tanks - from 4,5 thousand at the end of the 80s of the last century to 225 units. The degree of combat readiness which is also in doubt. Because of the 44 Leopards that are in service with the Quick Response Brigade in Münster, only nine were able to leave the park on their own.
The situation in Kriegsmarine is sad: in fact, the corvettes, which the German Defense Minister von der Leyen declared to be combat-ready, were not equipped with standard armament, and the submarines were not able to operate due to lack of crew.
According to the publication Bild, referring to the report of the Federal Audit Office of Germany, last year not a single German submarine was operational, less than half of the frigates and tanks could be used, and only every third combat helicopter.
The situation is no better in the Luftwaffe, where the outdated Tornado fighters (many of which have finally developed a resource) cannot be replaced with the fourth-generation Typhoon fighters.
On top of that, the armed forces are experiencing a severe personnel shortage both in the rank and file and in the command staff. According to media reports, every fifth candidate for officer leaves the service, breaking the contract during the first six months. And with the recruitment of volunteers to fill vacant positions for private and non-commissioned officers (about 8500 people are required per year), the situation is so disastrous that the Bundeswehr intends to attract foreigners (which is contrary to the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany).
A considerable part of the rather limited resources of the military department is being delayed by numerous foreign missions in which German troops and fleets are forced to take part — in Afghanistan, Mali, and the Mediterranean.
"Süddeutsche Zeitung" indicates that the participation of the Bundeswehr in the Afghan campaign in 2001-2014 literally drained the Bundeswehr, which in order to provide the German contingent with everything necessary, turned into a "spare parts depot", dismantling equipment and reducing the resources necessary for the defense of Germany itself and performing tasks within NATO.
German media claim that the government’s estimated funds to increase the defense budget (the government argues how much it should be, 1,3 or 1,5 percent of GDP) can only slightly reduce the deficit that has accumulated since the beginning of 2000.
It is noteworthy that journalists, practically repeating Trump word for word, accuse the German authorities of selfishness. Since they are in no hurry to correct the catastrophic situation in the armed forces, relying on the fact that the best defense of Germany against its external threats are the US military bases on its territory. And therefore they prefer to spend budget funds on completely different, more relevant, from their point of view, questions.
The surprising consonance of the positions of the American President and the German media is not accidental. Recall that in December 2008 of the year in the monthly “Unabhangige Nachrichten” a sensational material was published - the confession of a retired German intelligence general G. G. Komossy (later he wrote a book about it). He said that according to the secret state agreement signed by 21 in May 1949 of the United States with the provisional government of Germany, the conditions and limits of the state "sovereignty" of the Federal Republic of Germany are clearly defined. According to this document, among other requirements, Washington’s control over the German media is prescribed: radio and television, print media (newspapers, magazines, publishers), as well as film production, theater, music, school programs, curricula.
Judging by the German media space, this provision works to this day. In any case, the discussion of an increase in the military budget itself takes place not so much because of the need for this step, but because of pressure exerted on the authorities: external - from Washington, and internal - by American lobbyists.
German media are right when they say that the country's leadership feels relatively safe. But not at all because of the American bases (whose presence actually turns the country into a legitimate target for the opponents of the United States), but because no one threatens the FRG in reality. Russia is not going to conquer Germany at all, with which it is much more important and profitable for it to trade. The only manifestations of hostility against the Federal Republic of Germany can only be seen from Poland, but they can hardly be interpreted as military threats.
As for the foreign missions of the Bundeswehr (in Afghanistan or on the “containment of Russia” in the Baltic States), they do not in any way correspond to the real aspirations of Berlin. This is nothing more than “corvée” - work for the American “pan”, which does not bear Germany anything but significant financial costs and human losses for the Bundeswehr in the mountains and the “green light” of Afghanistan.
As a matter of fact, reducing military spending after the end of the Cold War and confrontation with the social camp allowed Germany to reallocate spending, implement many programs (including in the social sphere), and become Europe’s economic and political leader.
It cannot be ruled out that the desire of the US to hang on to Germany all the new military spending is also connected with the desire to weaken its position in the EU.
Without a doubt, the status of a European leader and dominant imposes certain obligations on Berlin in the military sphere. However, they are not connected with the overseas colonial wars in the interests of the United States or in an unnecessary and dangerous confrontation with Russia, but rather lie in combating illegal migration and combating terrorism.
These two problems in recent years have become major threats to the national security of the EU countries and already require the inclusion of military forces in their solution, since the police are not able to, say, carry out operations in the Mediterranean to combat the illegal transport of migrants.
But the solution of these really important and pressing issues is not so expensive at all, does not require a radical deployment of a tank fleet, an increase in the size of the army and the saturation of the air force with supernovae.
But the position of the federal authorities, connected by a number of obligations with the United States, is such that they cannot openly designate the priorities of the military construction of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany and at the same time curtail or reduce irrelevant for them military programs. So they are “fading away” on the sly, being on “starvation rations”, about which Süddeutsche Zeitung is indignant. Berlin no longer wants to be a vassal of Washington, but it still does not feel strong enough to declare this unequivocally and openly.
Therefore, Germany, resisting US pressure, is trying, nevertheless, to reassure them with declarations such as statements by the head of the German defense department, Ursula von der Lyayen, who noted that a dialogue “with a position of strength and unity” should be conducted with Moscow.
However, what kind of “position of power” and what kind of “unity” can we talk about when Angela Merkel at a meeting with Putin discusses joint opposition to sanctions that the US threatens the participants in the construction of the gas pipeline? So the question "who threatens Germany?" Can be considered rhetorical.
In particular, the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" made a devastating article, where it subjected the German armed forces to a very unflattering analysis, pointing out their current pitiable condition.
Ground forces, fleet, air force - everything is in a deplorable state. The publication recalls a sharp reduction in the number tanks - from 4,5 thousand at the end of the 80s of the last century to 225 units. The degree of combat readiness which is also in doubt. Because of the 44 Leopards that are in service with the Quick Response Brigade in Münster, only nine were able to leave the park on their own.
The situation in Kriegsmarine is sad: in fact, the corvettes, which the German Defense Minister von der Leyen declared to be combat-ready, were not equipped with standard armament, and the submarines were not able to operate due to lack of crew.
According to the publication Bild, referring to the report of the Federal Audit Office of Germany, last year not a single German submarine was operational, less than half of the frigates and tanks could be used, and only every third combat helicopter.
The situation is no better in the Luftwaffe, where the outdated Tornado fighters (many of which have finally developed a resource) cannot be replaced with the fourth-generation Typhoon fighters.
On top of that, the armed forces are experiencing a severe personnel shortage both in the rank and file and in the command staff. According to media reports, every fifth candidate for officer leaves the service, breaking the contract during the first six months. And with the recruitment of volunteers to fill vacant positions for private and non-commissioned officers (about 8500 people are required per year), the situation is so disastrous that the Bundeswehr intends to attract foreigners (which is contrary to the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany).
A considerable part of the rather limited resources of the military department is being delayed by numerous foreign missions in which German troops and fleets are forced to take part — in Afghanistan, Mali, and the Mediterranean.
"Süddeutsche Zeitung" indicates that the participation of the Bundeswehr in the Afghan campaign in 2001-2014 literally drained the Bundeswehr, which in order to provide the German contingent with everything necessary, turned into a "spare parts depot", dismantling equipment and reducing the resources necessary for the defense of Germany itself and performing tasks within NATO.
German media claim that the government’s estimated funds to increase the defense budget (the government argues how much it should be, 1,3 or 1,5 percent of GDP) can only slightly reduce the deficit that has accumulated since the beginning of 2000.
It is noteworthy that journalists, practically repeating Trump word for word, accuse the German authorities of selfishness. Since they are in no hurry to correct the catastrophic situation in the armed forces, relying on the fact that the best defense of Germany against its external threats are the US military bases on its territory. And therefore they prefer to spend budget funds on completely different, more relevant, from their point of view, questions.
The surprising consonance of the positions of the American President and the German media is not accidental. Recall that in December 2008 of the year in the monthly “Unabhangige Nachrichten” a sensational material was published - the confession of a retired German intelligence general G. G. Komossy (later he wrote a book about it). He said that according to the secret state agreement signed by 21 in May 1949 of the United States with the provisional government of Germany, the conditions and limits of the state "sovereignty" of the Federal Republic of Germany are clearly defined. According to this document, among other requirements, Washington’s control over the German media is prescribed: radio and television, print media (newspapers, magazines, publishers), as well as film production, theater, music, school programs, curricula.
Judging by the German media space, this provision works to this day. In any case, the discussion of an increase in the military budget itself takes place not so much because of the need for this step, but because of pressure exerted on the authorities: external - from Washington, and internal - by American lobbyists.
German media are right when they say that the country's leadership feels relatively safe. But not at all because of the American bases (whose presence actually turns the country into a legitimate target for the opponents of the United States), but because no one threatens the FRG in reality. Russia is not going to conquer Germany at all, with which it is much more important and profitable for it to trade. The only manifestations of hostility against the Federal Republic of Germany can only be seen from Poland, but they can hardly be interpreted as military threats.
As for the foreign missions of the Bundeswehr (in Afghanistan or on the “containment of Russia” in the Baltic States), they do not in any way correspond to the real aspirations of Berlin. This is nothing more than “corvée” - work for the American “pan”, which does not bear Germany anything but significant financial costs and human losses for the Bundeswehr in the mountains and the “green light” of Afghanistan.
As a matter of fact, reducing military spending after the end of the Cold War and confrontation with the social camp allowed Germany to reallocate spending, implement many programs (including in the social sphere), and become Europe’s economic and political leader.
It cannot be ruled out that the desire of the US to hang on to Germany all the new military spending is also connected with the desire to weaken its position in the EU.
Without a doubt, the status of a European leader and dominant imposes certain obligations on Berlin in the military sphere. However, they are not connected with the overseas colonial wars in the interests of the United States or in an unnecessary and dangerous confrontation with Russia, but rather lie in combating illegal migration and combating terrorism.
These two problems in recent years have become major threats to the national security of the EU countries and already require the inclusion of military forces in their solution, since the police are not able to, say, carry out operations in the Mediterranean to combat the illegal transport of migrants.
But the solution of these really important and pressing issues is not so expensive at all, does not require a radical deployment of a tank fleet, an increase in the size of the army and the saturation of the air force with supernovae.
But the position of the federal authorities, connected by a number of obligations with the United States, is such that they cannot openly designate the priorities of the military construction of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany and at the same time curtail or reduce irrelevant for them military programs. So they are “fading away” on the sly, being on “starvation rations”, about which Süddeutsche Zeitung is indignant. Berlin no longer wants to be a vassal of Washington, but it still does not feel strong enough to declare this unequivocally and openly.
Therefore, Germany, resisting US pressure, is trying, nevertheless, to reassure them with declarations such as statements by the head of the German defense department, Ursula von der Lyayen, who noted that a dialogue “with a position of strength and unity” should be conducted with Moscow.
However, what kind of “position of power” and what kind of “unity” can we talk about when Angela Merkel at a meeting with Putin discusses joint opposition to sanctions that the US threatens the participants in the construction of the gas pipeline? So the question "who threatens Germany?" Can be considered rhetorical.
Information