Yesterday at 19:21
The Bundestag’s Commissioner for Defense, Eva Högl, acknowledged that the combat readiness of some Bundeswehr units is only 50% and called for intensified efforts to recruit personnel.
This was reported by ntv.
About 20,000 men and women are still missing to reach the target of 203,000 soldiers, Högl said.
“In addition, many positions remain unfilled,” she complained.
And the actual combat readiness of many units is only about 50%, Högl noted. “This is clearly not enough,” she warned, considering the tense security situation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I believe that the personnel issue will be the most important in 2025,” Högl stated, adding that “the personnel situation must be the highest priority for everyone responsible for policy.”
At the same time, she emphasized that Russia’s war against Ukraine has changed the Bundeswehr: “This turning point is also a mandate for further reforms and greater speed. This applies to equipment, personnel, and infrastructure. And we have not yet reached our goal.”
As reported, the number of people in Germany refusing military service on grounds of conscience sharply increased since early 2022.
A recent survey showed that 61% of German men are willing to take up arms to defend their country in case of an attack.
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