BERLIN: Germany is seeking to transform its military into Europe’s strongest conventional force by 2039, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced, outlining an ambitious strategy aimed at deterring Russia.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Pistorius said the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, have adopted their first comprehensive military strategy to better prepare for evolving threat scenarios.
“We are increasing the number of active-duty soldiers, reservists, and civilian employees,” he said, adding that the goal is to build a force of at least 460,000 combat-ready personnel, including both active and reserve troops.
The minister also signalled a greater role for Germany within NATO, with a particular emphasis on strengthening air defence capabilities.
“Air defence for Germany and for NATO will be a key area for us,” he said. “Whether through interceptor drones, air defence systems, or protection against hypersonic missiles, these will be a high priority in the coming years.”
The new strategy outlines a three-phase plan to expand military capabilities. In the short to medium term, the focus will be on rapidly enhancing defence readiness across all domains.
Over the longer term, Germany aims to achieve technological superiority by integrating advanced weapons systems and artificial intelligence into its military operations.
