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Published on Reflecto News | World News | Defense & Geopolitics
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has offered a striking assessment of the war in Ukraine, acknowledging what he called a “positive effect” of the otherwise devastating conflict: the unprecedented acceleration of military technological development. His remarks, made in Berlin, highlight a reality that defense officials have observed quietly but few political leaders have stated publicly .
“We are seeing military technological development progressing at a pace we would not have seen without this war. As bitter as this war is, it has one positive effect.” — Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany
The Acceleration of Innovation
The war in Ukraine has tested weapons systems in high-intensity combat at a scale not seen in Europe since 1945. The result has been a dramatic acceleration of innovation cycles that normally take years or decades .
Key areas of accelerated development:
| Domain | Pre-War Status | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Drone warfare | Tactical niche | Central pillar of modern combat |
| AI targeting | Experimental | Operational in Ukraine |
| Electronic warfare | Underfunded | Critical enabler |
| Satellite ISR | Strategic asset | Tactical necessity |
| Loitering munitions | Emerging | Mass-produced and deployed |
Merz’s comments were not intended to justify the war or diminish its human cost. Rather, they reflect a realistic assessment of how warfare is evolving.
German Defense Transformation
Merz’s statement also serves a domestic political purpose: building support for Germany’s own defense modernization. The chancellor has unveiled plans to build Europe’s strongest military by 2039 , and the Ukraine war provides the justification.
German military targets under Merz:
| Metric | Current | 2035+ Target |
|---|---|---|
| Active-duty soldiers | ~185,000 | 260,000 |
| Reserve forces | ~60,000 | 200,000 |
| Total combat-ready | ~245,000 | 460,000 |
The “positive effect” of accelerated military technology, in Merz’s framing, is that Europe is learning the lessons of modern warfare now — rather than in a direct conflict with a peer adversary.
‘As Bitter as This War Is’
Merz’s caveat — “as bitter as this war is” — underscores the political sensitivity of his statement. The war has killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians, displaced millions, and devastated Ukrainian cities. Any acknowledgment of a “positive effect” risks being misinterpreted.
The chancellor was careful to distinguish between the war itself and the technological lessons it has generated. The war remains a tragedy; the innovation is an unintended consequence.
European Defense Industrial Implications
The accelerated pace of military technological development is reshaping European defense industrial priorities. Germany has already shifted procurement toward drones, electronic warfare, and satellite intelligence—capabilities that were underfunded before 2022 .
German defense procurement shifts:
| Capability | Pre-2022 Priority | Current Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Drones | Low | High |
| Air defense | Medium | High (hypersonic focus) |
| Electronic warfare | Low | High |
| Satellite ISR | Medium | High |
| Long-range strike | Low | High (building from “scratch”) |
The U.S.-Europe Gap
Merz’s acknowledgment of accelerated military technology also highlights a growing transatlantic gap. The United States has fought multiple conflicts in the Middle East and has long invested in drone warfare, electronic warfare, and satellite intelligence. European nations are playing catch-up.
US vs. European defense spending (2025):
| Category | US | Europe (NATO) |
|---|---|---|
| Defense spending (% of GDP) | ~3.4% | ~1.9% |
| Drone procurement | Mature | Scaling up |
| Electronic warfare | Operational | Developing |
| Space-based ISR | Extensive | Limited |
The gap is narrowing, but Europe still lags.
What Comes Next
Merz’s statement signals that Germany will continue to invest heavily in military technology, using the Ukraine war as both a justification and a laboratory. The “positive effect” of the war for European defense may be that Europe finally takes its own security seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Merz say was the “positive effect” of the Ukraine war?
Merz stated that the war has accelerated military technological development at a pace that would not have occurred without it.
2. Is Merz suggesting the war was a good thing?
No. Merz explicitly called the war “bitter” and his remarks were focused on the unintended technological consequences, not a justification of the war itself.
3. What military technologies have accelerated?
Drone warfare, AI targeting, electronic warfare, satellite intelligence, and loitering munitions have all seen dramatic advances due to combat experience in Ukraine.
4. How is Germany responding to these technological shifts?
Germany has announced plans to build Europe’s strongest military by 2039, with increased investment in drones, air defense, electronic warfare, and long-range strike capabilities .
5. Is Germany increasing its defense budget?
Yes. Germany has committed to NATO’s 2% of GDP target and established a €100 billion special defense fund (Sondervermögen Bundeswehr) following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
6. What is the status of the Ukraine war?
The war is entering its fifth year. A ceasefire is not in place, and fighting continues along the front lines.
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