Germany is laying the groundwork for an unprecedented military modernization drive, with more than 60 major procurement contracts expected to be submitted for parliamentary approval by the end of 2025, according to a report by Bloomberg. The initiative is part of a bold plan to restore the Bundeswehr to its Cold War-era strength and reestablish it as the largest and most powerful conventional army in Europe.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius outlined the strategy to lawmakers on Monday, revealing initial procurement plans that include:
• 5,000 Boxer Armored Fighting Vehicles
• 3,500 Patria XA-300 Armored Personnel Carriers
• At least 20 Eurofighter Typhoons from Airbus
The German Cabinet has already approved a long-term draft budget to support the transformation, which proposes doubling defense spending by €162 billion ($189 billion) by 2029. This financial commitment reflects Germany’s sharp pivot in defense policy amid growing regional instability, Russian aggression in Eastern Europe, and NATO’s pressure on member states to meet strategic capabilities.
In addition, the 2026 draft budget includes up to €8.5 billion ($9.7 billion) earmarked for military assistance to Ukraine, reinforcing Berlin’s broader support for European defense and deterrence against Russian advances.
The rearmament effort marks Germany’s most ambitious military buildup since reunification and signifies a shift toward long-term strategic autonomy within the NATO framework. The revival of Cold War-era readiness levels is intended not just to protect German territory but to lead Europe’s conventional military posture in a rapidly evolving security landscape.
