Merz Praises German Army’s Growing Capabilities: ‘Impressive What the Bundeswehr Is Capable of Today’
Reflecto News | German Defense | Bundeswehr
MUNSTER — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz lauded the increasing strength and readiness of the Bundeswehr on Wednesday, stating that it is “impressive” to witness the modern capabilities of the German army after decades of post-Cold War neglect.
Speaking during a visit to the German Army’s Training Center in Munster, Merz observed live-fire exercises and reviewed new equipment that has been delivered as part of the government’s Zeitenwende (historic turning point) defense buildup .
“I must say, it is impressive to see what the German army is capable of today.”
— Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany
🛡️ The Zeitenwende: From Neglect to Rearmament
Merz’s comment highlights the dramatic military transformation that has occurred since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- Historical Underfunding: For most of the post-Cold War era, the Bundeswehr suffered from chronic underfunding, with defense spending falling to around 1.2% of GDP in the mid-2010s. Reports during that period highlighted shortages of night-vision goggles, functional submarines, and even ammunition.
- 100 Billion Euro Special Fund: In response to the Russian invasion, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a “Zeitenwende” (historic turning point) in February 2022, creating a €100 billion special fund to modernize the military. Merz, who succeeded Scholz in 2025, has accelerated that transformation.
- Spending Targets: In 2025, German military spending reached about 3.9% of GDP — a level not seen since the Cold War.
The equipment and training Merz observed likely reflected the results of this special fund, including the delivery of new P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which are specifically relevant to monitoring the Strait of Hormuz crisis. The fund has also accelerated the procurement of F-35 fighter jets, heavy transport helicopters (CH-47F Chinook), and new armored vehicles for the German Army’s heavy brigades.
🌍 The Bundeswehr’s Growing Role
Merz’s praise carries political weight because he has been a staunch advocate of a more assertive German military presence in Europe and beyond.
- NATO’s Eastern Flank: Germany has taken a leading role in NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania, assuming command of a multinational battle group. Merz has pledged to upgrade this presence to a “combat-ready brigade” by 2027.
- Air Policing: The German Air Force has participated in NATO air policing missions over the Baltic states and has deployed aircraft to Romania to monitor Russian activity in the Black Sea region.
- Maritime Commitment: The German Navy has deployed frigates to the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping from Houthi attacks and may deploy minesweepers to the Strait of Hormuz.
The Chancellor’s “impressive” comment can be read as a signal to both domestic and international audiences.
- Domestically: It reassures German taxpayers that their money is not being wasted and that the Bundeswehr is recovering its readiness and morale.
- Internationally: It serves as notice that Germany is serious about taking on a larger share of the European defense burden, a key demand of U.S. presidents of both parties.
However, Merz’s praise comes as Germany is sending Patriot air defense batteries to Ukraine and deploying ships to the Middle East, while the Bundeswehr’s manpower shortage remains acute — the army is short by tens of thousands of soldiers, a gap that Merz’s coalition is struggling to fill.
Nonetheless, the Chancellor’s words reflect a genuine shift in German strategic culture. The “impressive” capabilities of the Bundeswehr, after decades of restraint, suggest that the Zeitenwende is not just a slogan, but a reality taking shape in the fields of Munster and the seas of the Middle East.
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