Germany Shifts Defence Policy in Response to Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Strategic Insights -

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged a significant increase in military spending and a revamp of the armed forces in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The move marks a critical turning point for Germany, which under Angela Merkel's leadership had pursued a policy of cautious engagement with Russia. Scholz's government has faced fierce criticism for its reluctance to take a more aggressive position towards Russia, but recent developments, including conversations with Vladimir Putin, have convinced him that Russia aims to build a new empire.

Key Takeaways:

  • Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged to invest €100bn this year in a fund to modernise the country's military.
  • Germany aims to boost yearly defence spending above 2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), exceeding the 2 per cent target as a NATO member.
  • The country has agreed to allow countries with German weapons to send deliveries to Ukraine and will send missiles, fuel, and vehicles via Poland.
  • Germany will bolster its presence in eastern European NATO allies and modernise fighter jets needed for its nuclear sharing with the US.
  • The country plans to purchase drones and build next-generation fighter jets and tanks in partnership with European countries, specifically France.
  • Germany aims to speed up efforts to decrease its dependency on Russian fossil fuels, with about 55 per cent of its gas imports coming from Russia.
  • The German government has prioritized energy security, with Finance Minister Christian Lindner calling for a push for more renewables, labelling it "renewable energy is freedom energy".

Statistics:

  • €100bn: The amount Germany will invest this year in a fund to modernise its military.
  • 2 per cent: The target for Germany's yearly defence spending as a percentage of GDP.
  • 55 per cent: The percentage of Germany's gas imports coming from Russia.

*itempty: The number of fighter jets needed for Germany's nuclear sharing with the US that will be modernised.

Sources:

  • "Berlin pivots on Russia" by Erika Solomon, The Financial Times