Latest news with #Breuer
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
German military chief defends planned high military expenditure
German Armed Forces Chief Inspector Carsten Breuer has justified the significantly increasing defence expenditure for Germany. The discussed spending amounting to 3.5% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) is not unfounded, the highest-ranking soldier of the Bundeswehr told the news magazine Der Spiegel in remarks published on Friday. "It is clearly derived from a significant threat posed by Russia. We must arm ourselves against this danger, both as the Bundeswehr and as a NATO member," Breuer said. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be deterred by a percentage figure, Breuer further stated. It is about growing capabilities, reasonable equipment, "combat-ready units and soldiers" who could be alerted at any time. "To be able to achieve this, the target of well over 3% is very realistic," Breuer said. Combat readiness means for the armed forces that they are ready for deployment in terms of materiel and personnel, he explained. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently stated that the federal government agrees with the target presented by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP and to provide an additional 1.5% for militarily necessary infrastructure. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius mentioned a period of five to seven years in which the 3.5% could be achieved. "We must become the engine of deterrence in Europe," said Breuer. He defended his warning that Russia could be ready by 2029 to turn against NATO states as well.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Germany's chief of defence orders urgent rearmament due to threat of Russian attack
Carsten Breuer, Germany's Chief of Defence, has issued a directive mandating the full rearmament of the Bundeswehr with modern weapons and equipment by 2029. The document emphasises the urgent need to expand both Germany's defensive and offensive capabilities in response to the threat of a Russian attack on NATO territory. Source: Reuters, citing a document obtained by the agency Details: Breuer and other senior NATO officials estimate that by 2029, Russia may have rebuilt its military forces to a level capable of launching an attack on NATO territory. The directive sets out Breuer's priorities as to which weapons systems must be procured or produced first. Reuters' sources say NATO has demanded that Germany strengthen its air defence at least fourfold – from long-range systems such as Patriot to short-range systems. Another key objective is enhancing the army's ability to carry out high-precision strikes against targets more than 500 kilometres deep into enemy territory. Breuer also ordered increased ammunition stockpiles and raised the minimum reserve levels for all types of weapons. Quote: "Other priorities listed in the document are the swift expansion of Germany's capabilities in electronic warfare and the establishment of a resilient system of 'offensive and defensive capabilities' in space." More details: In mid-May, Commander-in Chief of the German Army Alfons Mais stated that Russia's large-scale social and industrial mobilisation indicated its military was rapidly gaining firepower. "By 2029 at the latest, Russian forces will be capable of large-scale aggression using conventional weapons against NATO territory. But they may begin testing us much earlier," he said. Background: Recently, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated that Germany may reinstate mandatory military service if the revamped voluntary recruitment system fails to meet its goals. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also recently declared that the Bundeswehr would receive as much funding as it needs to become Europe's strongest army. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Germany sets 2029 deadline to fully arm military amid fears of Russian threat, Reuters reports
Germany's Chief of Defense, Carsten Breuer, has issued a directive ordering the German military to be fully equipped with weapons and materials by 2029, citing concerns that Russia could be capable of attacking NATO territory by then. The internal document seen by Reuters, titled "Directive Priorities for the Bolstering of Readiness" and signed on May 19, outlines a detailed roadmap to prepare Germany's armed forces over the next five years. The directive reflects shared assessments by Breuer and NATO officials that Russia may have rebuilt its military enough to pose a direct threat to the alliance's borders. Funding for the plan will come from the loosening of Germany's "debt brake" in March, which allows additional defense spending. The document sets acquisition priorities that align with NATO's recommendations. Chief among them is strengthening Germany's air defenses, with particular emphasis on countering drones. NATO is expected to ask Berlin to at least quadruple its air defense systems, ranging from long-range platforms such as the Patriot to short-range interceptors. In addition to bolstering aerial defenses, the directive calls for capabilities to conduct deep precision strikes against targets more than 500 kilometers away. Breuer also emphasized the urgency of replenishing Germany's ammunition stockpiles and increasing stockpiling targets across all ammunition types. Other key areas for development include enhancing electronic warfare systems and building a robust set of both offensive and defensive capabilities in space. We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
German chief of defence orders swift expansion of warfare capabilities
Loosening of German debt brake can fund defence spending Priorities include strengthening air defences to intercept drones German army chief said Russian forces are rapidly gaining firepower By Sabine Siebold By 2029, Russia may have reconstituted its forces sufficiently to attack NATO territory, according to estimates by Breuer and other senior military officials at NATO. The latest document, entitled 'Directive Priorities for the Bolstering of Readiness', which Breuer signed on May 19, said Germany will meet the goal with the help of funds made available by the loosening of the country's debt brake in March. The defence ministry in Berlin did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In the directive, Breuer sets priorities for the weapons that should be acquired or developed most urgently, reflecting in part priorities NATO has previously laid out. Among them, Breuer lists the strengthening of Germany's depleted air defences, in particular with a view to intercepting drones. Last year, sources told Reuters that NATO will request Berlin to at least quadruple its air defences, ranging from systems with a longer range, such as the Patriot, to short-range systems. Another priority is a capability to launch deep precision strikes, according to the document, effectively hitting targets at a distance of more than 500 kilometres (310 miles) and far behind enemy lines. In addition to pushing for Germany's ammunition stocks to be replenished, Breuer also orders Germany to raise its stockpiling targets for all types of ammunition. Other priorities listed in the document are the swift expansion of Germany's capabilities in electronic warfare and the establishment of a resilient system of 'offensive and defensive capabilities' in space. In a speech in mid-May, Army Chief Alfons Mais said a large-scale social and industrial mobilisation meant Russian forces were rapidly gaining firepower. 'From 2029, at the latest, the Russian forces will be capable of a conventional aggression against NATO territory on a large scale,' he said. 'But they can start testing us much sooner.'
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
German chief of defence orders swift expansion of warfare capabilities
Germany's Chief of Defence, Carsten Breuer, has ordered the German military to be fully equipped with weapons and other material by 2029, a document seen by Reuters on Sunday shows. By 2029, Russia may have reconstituted its forces sufficiently to attack NATO territory, according to estimates by Breuer and other senior military officials at NATO. The document entitled "Directive Priorities for the Bolstering of Readiness", which Breuer signed on May 19, said Germany will meet the goal with the help of funds made available by the loosening of the country's debt brake in March. The defence ministry in Berlin did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In the directive, Breuer sets priorities for the weapons that should be acquired or developed most urgently, reflecting in part priorities NATO has previously laid out. Among them, Breuer lists the strengthening of Germany's depleted air defences, in particular with a view to intercepting drones. Last year, sources told Reuters that NATO will request Berlin to at least quadruple its air defences, ranging from systems with a longer range, such as the Patriot, to short-range systems. Another priority is a capability to launch deep precision strikes, according to the document, effectively hitting targets at a distance of more than 500 kilometres (310 miles) and far behind enemy lines. In addition to pushing for Germany's ammunition stocks to be replenished, Breuer also orders Germany to raise its stockpiling targets for all types of ammunition. Other priorities listed in the document are the swift expansion of Germany's capabilities in electronic warfare and the establishment of a resilient system of "offensive and defensive capabilities" in space.
