Germany’s Chief of Defense, General Carsten Breuer, has issued a directive mandating the Bundeswehr be fully equipped for high-intensity conflict by 2029, citing Russia’s potential to launch a major assault on NATO within that timeframe. The classified document, titled “Directive Priorities for the Bolstering of Readiness”, was signed on May 19 and obtained by Reuters.

Breuer’s order reflects NATO’s assessment that Moscow is regaining military strength rapidly, with German Army Chief Alfons Mais warning, “From 2029 at the latest, the Russian forces will be capable of a conventional aggression against NATO territory on a large scale.”

Key Capabilities to Be Accelerated

The modernization program identifies several critical areas for urgent action:

• Air Defense: Germany will strengthen its missile defense systems—quadrupling assets ranging from long-range Patriots to short-range interceptors—specifically to counter drone and missile threats.
• Precision Strike: The Bundeswehr is to develop long-range precision strike capabilities with reach beyond 500 kilometers, enabling attacks deep into enemy territory.
• Electronic Warfare & Space: The directive emphasizes enhancing Germany’s offensive and defensive capacities in electronic warfare and building a robust operational architecture in space.
• Ammunition Reserves: The military must not only restock depleted ammunition but also raise stockpiling targets across all categories to sustain long-term combat operations.

Funding Through Debt Brake Loosening

This sweeping expansion will be financed using additional fiscal space created by the loosening of Germany’s constitutional “debt brake” in March, a move that permits increased public borrowing for defense spending. This shift marks a historic transformation in Germany’s post-Cold War military posture.

While the German defense ministry did not comment on the report, the political momentum reflects growing consensus that national and NATO security require immediate structural rearmament.

Breuer’s directive aligns with NATO’s long-term posture planning, reinforcing Germany’s role as a central logistical and strategic hub in Europe. With the Bundeswehr still recovering from years of underfunding, the directive signals Berlin’s acknowledgment that rearmament is no longer optional—it is urgent.