How Ukraine war is impacting arms in Germany – Minister

Emmanuel Thomas, with reports from DPA

BERLIN – German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said gaps would remain in the country’s military equipment beyond 2030, in comments to the Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

“We all know that the existing gaps cannot be fully closed by 2030. That is why we have to set priorities,” said the Social Democrat who was appointed to head the ministry earlier this year.

One of these priorities was the protection of NATO’s eastern flank, he said.

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“For us, that means first of all building up a fully equipped division by 2025 and contributing adequately to NATO’s Response Force.”

“The Bundeswehr has three tasks to fulfil: National and alliance defence as well as international crisis operations. This requires capabilities, backed up with material and personnel,” Pistorius said of the high military demands.

Weapons deliveries to support Ukraine in the war against Russia have also left gaps in the Bundeswehr’s capabilities. Pistorius had announced in January that he would discuss this with the arms industry.