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Germany is pouring an eye-watering €50 billion into new weapons, missile defenses, and combat vehicles, a move that signals how sharply Europe’s biggest economy is rearming and how little patience there is left for delays.
The decision was approved Thursday by the Bundestag’s budget committee and clears the way for massive purchases for the German armed forces, from air defense systems to armored vehicles and basic gear for soldiers.
A large slice of the money will go toward strengthening Germany’s missile shield. About €4 billion has been earmarked to expand the Arrow 3 missile defense system, while another €2 billion will be spent on the Patriot air defense system. More than €4 billion is set aside for Puma infantry fighting vehicles, with additional funds going to personal protective equipment and clothing for troops.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius defended the spending in parliament, saying Germany is serious about turning the Bundeswehr into a force that is “highly efficient and resilient.”
This latest package is part of a much broader surge in military investment. According to the Defense Ministry, lawmakers have approved 103 defense proposals this year alone, worth nearly €83 billion. Over the past three years, total defense investments have reached roughly €188 billion.
Not everyone is convinced the money is being spent wisely.
The first pushback came from the Greens, with budget expert Sebastian Schaefer warning of what he called “reckless procurement,” particularly when it comes to the Puma vehicles. He noted that Germany is planning to order 200 more Pumas despite ongoing problems with the operational readiness of those already in service.
Schaefer said he strongly supports modernizing the armed forces but argued that better oversight is essential. Exempting defense spending from Germany’s strict debt brake, he warned, should not be treated as a blank check.
Still, with security concerns rising across Europe, the message from Berlin is clear: Germany is rearming at full speed, and the price tag is no longer a taboo.
