Germany vows to build Europe's strongest army amid rising Russia threat

By Global Watch and AFP | 2025-05-21

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's pledge to build up "the strongest conventional army" in Europe -- which he deems essential for the continent's defense as the war in Ukraine grinds on -- comes as NATO braces for the possibility of broader Russian aggression.

"This is appropriate for Europe's most populous and economically powerful country," Merz told the Bundestag, the lower chamber of parliament, on May 14 in his first major address since taking office. "Our friends and partners also expect this from us. Indeed, they practically demand it."

Merz's remarks come amid growing alarm across Europe that Russia's military ambitions may eventually extend beyond Ukraine.

A report from the Danish Defense Intelligence Service (DDIS) in February warned that Russia is preparing for a potential future war with NATO -- even if no formal decision has yet been made in Moscow.

"Russia views itself as being in a conflict with the West and is preparing for a war with NATO," the report stated.

While the DDIS assessed that Russia is unlikely to take on both Ukraine and NATO simultaneously, it cautioned that once combat operations in Ukraine end or pause, Moscow could rapidly redeploy troops and military resources toward NATO's eastern flank.

Reversing military underinvestment

Military and economic support from China, Iran and North Korea has allowed Russia to sustain its war effort in Ukraine while freeing up capacity to rearm and potentially engage in new conflicts, the report said.

The Kremlin could provoke a new local conflict in a neighboring country within six months of the Ukraine war's end, it warned. European leaders are increasingly unwilling to ignore that scenario.

In response, Merz outlined sweeping plans to reverse decades of German military underinvestment.

His government already has cleared the way for a spending "bazooka" worth hundreds of billions of euros in extra funding for defense and infrastructure by getting a fiscal plan passed by the previous parliament.

"Strengthening the Bundeswehr [the German armed forces] is our top priority," he said. "The German government will provide all the financial resources the Bundeswehr needs to become Europe's strongest conventional army."

"Strength deters aggressors, while weakness invites aggression," he added.

Merz also pledged a greater diplomatic and security role for Berlin in Europe at a time of high geopolitical tensions.

"Anyone who seriously believes that Russia would be satisfied with a victory over Ukraine or with the annexation of parts of the country is mistaken," he said.

'Assume more responsibility'

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine over three years ago jolted the center-left former chancellor Olaf Scholz into action.

He announced €100 billion ($112 billion) in extra defense spending, which has allowed Germany to meet the NATO target of 2% of GDP.

The new government intends to build on that initiative by clearing bureaucratic hurdles, accelerating procurement and expanding the military's ranks.

To address personnel shortages, Merz announced the creation of a "new, attractive voluntary military service."

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius added that while participation would initially be voluntary, the government may consider other options if recruitment goals are not met.

"Our goal is a Germany and a Europe that are so strong together that we never have to use our weapons," Merz concluded. "To achieve this, we will have to assume more responsibility within NATO and the EU [European Union]."

Still, serious challenges remain.

Germany's armed forces have been plagued by reports of faulty equipment and low readiness, and major defense contracts will take years to yield results. The military still suffers from "too little of everything," parliamentary commissioner Eva Högl recently warned.