Bundeswehr association calls budget compromise "ridiculous"
The Defense Budget for 2023 grows by 1.2 billion Euro. This is not sufficient for the Bundeswehr Association. The amount is "by no means in line with the current threat situation and not at all in line with Germany's responsibility in the world," criticized the Association's Chairman André Wüstner to the German Press Agency in Berlin.
The Bundeswehr Association demands significant improvements to the draft budget for the Defense and sharply criticized the coalition leaders. A growth of 1.2 billion Euro "by no means meets the current threat situation and even less so Germany's responsibility in the world," said the Chairman André Wüstner to the German Press Agency in Berlin.
He warned: "With this budget, the Federal Government may want to get through this legislative period, but the Bundeswehr, as an essential part of our security architecture - and thus all of us - pays the price for it." Wüstner referred to political instability and uncertainty about the future role of the USA as a security guarantee for Europe, overall the "most dangerous security situation since the fall of the Iron Curtain."
"The troops are surprised, largely shocked. After the statement of the Federal Chancellor during the Munich Security Conference 'Without security, everything is nothing,' no one would have expected such a concealment of the Defense Budget," Wüstner criticized. "Despite the proclamation of the Zeitenwende, unfortunately no enlightenment has occurred."
Improvements in Parliament?
Everyone knows that the so-called special fund of the Bundeswehr is already fully committed in this year's budget. "We need the increase in the Defense Budget to cover the dramatically rising operating expenses - from power generation aggregates to fuel and special equipment sets to personnel," emphasized Wüstner. Without further investments, the capacity expansion of the defense industry will be quickly reversed.
He demanded for the parliamentary consideration of the budget: "In short: The Parliament must significantly increase its efforts!" If the Parliament does not increase its efforts until the budget approval, "it means ZeitenWende - ZeitenEnde!"
Wüstner also referred to the current report on the readiness of the forces, which the Defense Committee showed how difficult the situation is and how far the Bundeswehr is from the NATO capabilities. The chairman explained: "That is the reason why Boris Pistorius again demanded energy and substantially an increase of 6.7 billion Euros. He was ignored again, as in the past year or most recently in response to his demands for conscription."
The German defense policy is under scrutiny due to the proposed budget increase of 1.2 billion Euros, deemed insufficient by the Bundeswehr Association. Politically, this budget policy raises concerns about Germany's role and commitment in international security affairs. The Chairman of the Bundeswehr Association, Wüstner, has called for significant improvements in the Defense Budget, stating that the current amount is not sufficient to meet the current threat situation or fulfill Germany's global responsibilities.
