Bundeswehr in focus "FOCUS online"
The start of a special military operation in Ukraine radically changed the military-political and economic situation in Europe. Berlin reacted especially radically and aggressively. If in the first months of the Northern Military District Germany modestly announced only financial support for Ukraine and the supply of non-lethal types of weapons, then by the end of 2023 it came in second place, after the United States, in the number of all kinds of weapons sent to Ukraine.
“At the close of 2023,” the online magazine “FOCUS online” published a very interesting, in my opinion, article, which I offer to the reader.
Since the article was published for a German audience, I would first like to give certain additions and clarifications on the topic raised in it, for those who are quite likely not entirely familiar with some aspects of the military-political structure of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Let's start with the fact that the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg) and the Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) are, as they say in Germany, “two different construction sites.”
The Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg) is the specialized department of the federal government for military defense and all matters related to the Bundeswehr. It acts as the highest military command authority and the highest service organ of the Bundeswehr administration.
The Ministry of Defense has been headed by Boris Pistorius since January 2023. In addition to his political responsibility, he exercises the leadership of the armed forces in peacetime and is the highest commander among all military personnel and their highest disciplinary commander.
In the political and parliamentary spheres, the minister is represented by two parliamentary secretaries of state.
Two other secretaries of state support him in the technical direction of the department and the exercise of command and control. The Minister receives military advice from the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, who is the highest ranking military officer and is responsible for the overall concept of the armed forces.
Headquarters of the German Ministry of Defense in Berlin
Control area
The management staff organizes the daily work of the Minister of Defense. He prepares meetings and speeches, and coordinates cooperation with the government and parliament. It includes the minister's office, his adjutant, parliamentary and cabinet departments, the department of strategic priorities, the department of speeches and texts, as well as protocols.
All media work of the ministry is coordinated by the information work department. He informs the press and public about the Bundeswehr and German defense and security policies. The ministry's information officers are also responsible for the ministry's social media activities, as well as for personnel marketing as, in Russian, the owner or owner (Gesellschafter) of the Bundeswehr.
Headquarters of the German Ministry of Defense in Bonn
As Federal Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius simultaneously carries out various important functions. Not only does he sit at the federal government's cabinet table, but he also serves as the highest commander among all military personnel and has the authority to command and control the armed forces in peacetime.
Boris Pisturius, Federal Minister of Defense of Germany
Thus, the minister can make decisions on all matters relating to the armed forces. These include, for example, the redeployment of combat units, the introduction of new weapons systems, or the closure of locations. Only after the transition to real actions to ensure the defense of the country does command and control over the armed forces pass to the Federal Chancellor.
Together with two parliamentary secretaries of state, two secretaries of state and the inspector general of the Bundeswehr, he heads the Federal Ministry of Defense.
High-ranking military personnel
The Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, General Carsten Breuer, is responsible for the overall concept of military defense, including planning and further development, for the leadership of the armed forces, as well as for the planning, preparation, management and monitoring of Bundeswehr operations. The departments of planning, command of the armed forces, strategy and operations are subordinate to him.
Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr
The armed forces are subordinate to the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr in all matters. In this regard, he has the right to establish binding principles for all Bundeswehr soldiers, regardless of their responsibility for the relevant organizational field. In carrying out his duties, the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr is assisted by a deputy, who is also the representative for Bundeswehr reservist matters.
Propaganda poster encouraging people to join the Bundeswehr
Armed forces
The Bundeswehr is, directly, the Armed Forces of the country, and although this word is feminine in German, from now on I will refer to the Bundeswehr as “he”. So we are all somehow more accustomed...
The Bundeswehr as an organization has existed in Germany since November 12, 1955 and, surprisingly, is a limited liability organization (GmbH).
Mandatory conscription into the Bundeswehr was abolished in 2011. Today there are four categories of military personnel serving in the Bundeswehr:
- Contract military personnel, service life from two to 25 years;
- Professional military personnel, that is, military personnel equivalent to government officials;
- Voluntarily conscripted, service life from 7 to 23 months;
- Voluntary conscripts (domestic service), service period from 7 to 23 months, but only in Germany.
Well, now, those who showed restraint and did not lose interest in the article itself from FOCUS online, please read it.
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FOCUS Online Editor Thomas Sabin
Thursday, December 28, 2023
A year and a half after the German Government’s decision to make a special investment in the Bundeswehr: “By the start of the invasion, the Bundeswehr was stripped. He's naked today."
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius talks to tank crews during a visit to the 203rd Tank Battalion at Field Marshal Rommel's barracks.
Is Boris Pistorius fit to be defense minister?
If the population survey data is to be believed, there is no doubt about this. But how well did it actually work? FOCUS online asked various experts questions about this. Boris Pistorius must lead Germany into a new era. The Federal Republic must be able to defend itself in an emergency.
“A powerful, ultra-modern, progressive Bundeswehr” is the goal that Chancellor Olaf Scholz formulated on 27 February 2022 in his most powerful speech to date. Russia's attack on Ukraine had occurred just three days earlier.
When Scholz addressed the Bundestag on February 27, he said:
“In view of the turning point that Putin's aggression represents, our guide is what Europe needs to ensure peace, and that will be done. It is not enough to state this clearly and unequivocally today, because for this the Bundeswehr needs new, stronger capabilities.”
To achieve this goal "we will create a special fund for the Bundeswehr"said Scholz in his landmark speech. Just a month later, on March 16, 100 billion euros were approved for the Bundeswehr.
But at the same time, a terrible noise arose in the Ministry of Defense (BMVg), headed by the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).
Lambrecht left at the beginning of 2023, and Pistorius took over the Bundeswehr.
The head of the Ministry of Defense at the time, Christine Lanbrecht, was constantly criticized in 2022, including because of her disastrous New Year's video speech and indecisiveness with supplies weapons to Ukraine.
The opposition loudly whispered that she was not suitable for this position. Criticism also came from the military. On 17 January 2023, Lambrecht finally resigned and the post was taken over by Boris Pistorius, former mayor of Osnabrück and Lower Saxony's interior minister.
"Pistorius is an extremely experienced politician"
- Scholz explained, imagining the man who would finally lead the Bundeswehr on the right path.
Pistorius has administrative experience, has been involved in security policy for many years, he is competent, assertive and the kind of person who cares about others first, despite his own interests - “exactly the man who can lead the Bundeswehr at this turning point", said the Chancellor.
Boris Pistorius is more popular than Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Germany's new defense minister quickly became the country's most popular politician. There was a lot of positive feedback not only from ordinary civilians, but also from military personnel. Some even see him as the SPD's next candidate for chancellor.
But the problems are huge. The modernization of the Bundeswehr with a special €100 billion fund was just beginning when Pistorius took office, and the problems were manifold: an ineffective administrative apparatus, a lack of equipment for soldiers, shortages of numerous weapons systems and difficulties in purchasing ammunition.
Pistorius provides "significantly better political leadership of the Bundeswehr».
Germany has not yet reached a “turning point” even with Pistorius, says Ralph Thile, a retired colonel and chairman of the Political-Military Society, in an interview with FOCUS online. Thiele criticizes and sees one of the reasons for the problems in the structures of the Ministry of Defense, which are updated only cosmetically.
“There has been no breakthrough success in virtually any area.”
Since Pistorius took office, the leadership of the Bundeswehr, in a political sense, has improved significantly.
“He is characterized by clear and reliable words backed by actions.”
He also achieved a dramatic increase in the Bundeswehr's reputation among the public and among international partners. But there is still a lot to be done.
A retired colonel lists:
- Personnel planning:
“The desired workforce planning is unrealistic given the birth rate and established recruitment procedures.”
- Planning for the future:
“The Bundeswehr does not have a clear strategy in the development of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellites, drones, quantum technologies or cyber capabilities. The Bundeswehr, in this sense, is meager, or lags behind for decades.”
- Organization of the Ministry of Defense (BMVg):
“During the reorganization of the Ministry of Defense, the second headquarters would have to be closed. This means that the organization must be radically simplified and reduced specifically to ministerial tasks. The proposed reduction of approximately 300 jobs is the minimum.”
- Equipment and procurement:
“The organization of equipment procurement (equipment, weapons, uniforms, etc.) is neither politically nor administratively capable of meeting current and changing needs. Recent reform efforts have done little to change the situation.”
- Foreign policy:
“Current foreign policy hinders exports and therefore the ability of the defense industry to supply the Bundeswehr with sophisticated technologies in required quantities at affordable prices.”
“By the start of the invasion, the Bundeswehr was stripped. Today he is naked"
Thiele says it is unacceptable that the Bundeswehr finds itself in a worse position than before when it comes to equipping it with weapons systems and ammunition, 22 months after Russia's attack on Ukraine. "At the beginning of the attack he (Bundeswehr) was naked. He's naked today».
The Bundeswehr itself is primarily responsible for this; the special fund has so far contributed little to the defense capabilities of the troops. According to Thiele, if Germany or a NATO country were attacked, the Bundeswehr's equipment would not last long.
“It used to be three days. Today it's more like a clock."
As defense minister, Pistorius stands out from most of his predecessors.
“However, he is still new to the position and still has a lot to learn technically, as well as continue to improve his management team.”
says Thiele. But what helps him cope with the mountain of tasks is this
“His excellent teamwork with the Chancellor and the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr. This rarely happened in stories Bundeswehr."
“There is no public awareness that we are dealing with imperial Russia.”
The Bundeswehr's efforts to purchase equipment, vehicles and ammunition are currently in full swing. Taking a look at the list of projects for 2023, you can see the following:
Carlo Masala, a military expert and professor at the Bundeswehr University, is also overseeing efforts to better equip the armed forces. This year alone, many so-called “templates worth 25 million euros" There have also been some “moderate reforms” in the procurement process.
What are “25 million euro templates”?
In Germany, spending on weapons and military equipment must be approved by politicians. If the Bundeswehr wants to buy or develop something worth more than 25 million euros, the budget committee of the German Bundestag must agree. That is why these projects are called “25 million euro templates”.
“In the end,” Masala argues, “there has been no turning point because the public does not realize that we are dealing with an imperial Russia that may not see an end to its ambitions in Ukraine.”
However, this will definitely be the precondition for a real turning point.
In addition, the Bundeswehr's structures also need to be reformed to make them more operational and combat-ready, especially when it comes to recruiting personnel, Masala said. Because unless the Bundeswehr manages to recruit more personnel in the next few years, it will be of little use if it has modern equipment but no one to operate it.
“Now begins the stage where this will be measured by concrete results.”
The expert sees no problems either in individual politicians or in the lack of money. It has to do with the mindset, with the awareness that our democratic form of government is under threat and must be defended through military and non-military means. Pistorius himself cannot handle the turning point alone; society also has a role to play.
Still, things are moving in the right direction. The Defense Minister certainly deserves recognition for his clear language and courage to speak hard truths, says Masala.
“However, the time when he was judged only on good speeches and performances is over; now comes the stage when it is assessed by concrete results.”
“Pistorius has achieved more in a short space of time than any of his predecessors.”
But Pistorius's party friends see much more progress. Members of the SPD party have only good things to say about the minister. In the short time that Pistorius has been in power, "he has achieved more for the security of our country than any of his predecessors in the last 20 years“says Wolfgang Hellmilch, spokesman for the defense policy of the SPD, in an interview with FOCUS online.
“Starting with measures to speed up the procurement of materials for troops, measures to recruit personnel, a new structure of the Ministry of Defense and new directions of defense policy, with the help of which we adapt the defense capability of the Bundeswehr to a situation that has changed under the influence of Russia’s war against Ukraine,”
- said Helmich. The Chancellor can be satisfied with his choice and rely on the Minister of Defense.
The opposition, which initially praised Pistorius, naturally sees the situation differently. For many there, things are moving too slowly.
The Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) party especially criticizes the sluggish use of the special fund.
Member of the Bundestag and retired colonel, politician Roderich Kiesewetter, in an interview with ARD in the middle of the year, accused the Bundeswehr of lacking the will to change.
Expert Thiele also criticized the fact that funding for a number of projects was immediately stopped. It also shows that the planning for the special fund was not fully thought out from the beginning.
“Politicians and the military do not always keep pace.”
“The Secretary of Defense has problems with implementation.”
At the end of the year, the opposition takes decisive action against Pistorius and the ministry, which has been headed by the SPD since December 2021.
“Despite its special capabilities, the Bundeswehr is not capable of defense,”
says Florian Hahn, CSU foreign policy spokesman, in an interview with FOCUS online. The opposite is true:
“Due to the necessary shipments for Ukraine and the slow supply of new equipment, the Bundeswehr is in a worse position than before the start of the war,”
- says Khan. The Minister started quickly and with the right topics. Now everything is moving at a snail's pace.
Although Pistorius said Germany must be ready for war, the changes could have been more noticeable so far.
“The Secretary of Defense has problems with implementation.”
Iraq, Kosovo, South Sudan: Bundeswehr abroad
1125 Bundeswehr troops are involved in operations abroad.
The situation in Ukraine exposes the problems of the coalition government and the regular political statements of the Minister of Defense:
“They (problems) can be ignored for a certain time, but then everything collapses like a house of cards.”
A year and a half ago, the turning point was declared with great fanfare, but it remained in a peaceful, past state, Khan says.
Instead of increasing arms production as quickly as possible, resources and warehouses were used to cover Ukraine's most pressing needs.
“Now our own stocks have reached an alarming minimum, and the German industry continues to receive orders literally drop by drop.”
Khan is convinced that despite the 100 billion special fund, the federal government will not be able to stabilize the Bundeswehr even in the best case.
In his opinion, it is much more important to establish transparency and communication with the Ministry of Defense.
“There is silence there, like in a deep forest - no transparency.”
This is an example of a blatant refusal on the part of the Ministry to inform Parliament about the combat readiness of the armed forces.
“Since he took office, there have been no consultations on this issue!”
It is reported that he (Pistorius) "brilliant statements have no effect. Empty words instead of real politics" This means that precious time is lost and the operational readiness of our Bundeswehr is deteriorating more and more every day.
What would the Social Democratic Union do differently?
The defense budget would be increased to at least two percent of gross domestic product by 2026, in addition to a special fund, an opposition politician says. It is absolutely necessary to increase the defense budget by ten billion euros annually, starting in 2024.
In addition, when purchasing weapons, it is necessary to take greater account of national security interests. Germany cannot rule out the possibility that after the US presidential election it will be left alone when it comes to defense policy.
“In this regard, strengthening the domestic arms industry is a direct contribution to increasing the defense capability of Germany and Europe.”
Khan also advocates the creation of a National Security Council and a national security strategy that would allow the Bundeswehr to defend the country as well as carry out foreign missions. He says Germany needs conscription again. This also means that the necessary capacity needs to be expanded so that the army can grow. Without a reserve or reliable personnel reserve, the Bundeswehr "is not even remotely defensible or capable of any sustained action».
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Finale
Germany's defense budget in 2023 amounted to 50 billion euros. To this were added another 8,4 billion from the special fund.
2024 billion are planned for 51,8, and the notorious 100 billion special fund is reserved for this amount as an “addition”.
The article presented to the reader gives a certain idea of what kind of mess is going on in politics and the German Armed Forces. Despite the fact that the majority of society does not believe in the likelihood of a Russian attack and is not ready and does not want any war, German politicians and the “independent, democratic media” have “taken the bit between their teeth” and continue, splashing their saliva avidly, to convince everyone around and, first of all, yourself, that Russia will attack sooner or later.
The following is a quote from the official website of the German Ministry of Defense:
“To cope with the changed security situation in Europe as a result of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the federal government, as part of a new era, has established a special Bundeswehr fund worth 100 billion euros. In 2024, approximately 19,2 billion euros will be used. The money supports the defense budget and is available to finance Bundeswehr equipment and manning, especially for complex, multi-year weapons projects.
Next year, for example, there will be expenses for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, service boats fleet 424 class frigates, 126 class frigates, 130 class corvettes and 212 class submarines, F-35 and Eurofighter weapons systems, IRIS-T ground-based air defense systems, infrared imaging system, HX-90 helicopter, digitalization of ground operations, satellite communications, clothing and personal equipment, ammunition, etc.
This means that the Bundeswehr can take another step towards a broad and innovation-oriented range of capabilities.”
Next year, for example, there will be expenses for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, service boats fleet 424 class frigates, 126 class frigates, 130 class corvettes and 212 class submarines, F-35 and Eurofighter weapons systems, IRIS-T ground-based air defense systems, infrared imaging system, HX-90 helicopter, digitalization of ground operations, satellite communications, clothing and personal equipment, ammunition, etc.
This means that the Bundeswehr can take another step towards a broad and innovation-oriented range of capabilities.”
In addition, in December last year, Defense Minister Pistorius voiced his desire to resume compulsory military service. At one time, he called abandoning it a mistake.
In addition, in order to increase the size of the Bundeswehr, from today's 181 people to 283 planned by 230, the Ministry is actively developing special programs to make service in the Armed Forces more attractive.
Today, Pistorius has 65 specific proposals on his desk for this purpose.
In 2023, Germany exported various types of weapons worth 11,71 billion euros, that is, 40% more than in 2022.
Of these, 4,15 billion were sent to Ukraine.
Despite the fact that the leadership of the Bundeswehr, like the political leadership of the country, emphasizes that “it will support Ukraine as long as necessary,” the flywheel of reorganization and pumping up the Bundeswehr with the latest types of weapons, technologies and people has begun its spin.
The enemy is not only awake, he is preparing to strike.
Information