Media: Berlin boosts military build-up, calls Russia primary security threat

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has presented a new national military strategy as Berlin responds to what it describes as an escalating threat from Moscow.

The Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, is undergoing a broad rearmament program following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In January, Germany also reintroduced voluntary military service in an effort to increase troop numbers, DPA reports.

Pistorius said the defence plan includes both Germany’s first comprehensive military strategy and an assessment of the Bundeswehr’s capabilities, defining the organisation, structure, and size of the armed forces. While many details remain classified, he stated that the objective includes “developing the Bundeswehr into the strongest conventional army in Europe.”

The German Defence Ministry regards Russia as the principal security threat facing the country.

“With its rearmament, it is preparing for a military confrontation with NATO and sees the use of military force as a legitimate instrument for asserting its interests,” Pistorius said.

The strategy further outlines Moscow’s perception of the West as fundamentally hostile, as well as its view that the accession of democratic countries to NATO amounts to encirclement. It also argues that Russia seeks to weaken cohesion within the transatlantic alliance and drive a wedge between the United States and Europe, in order to expand its influence on the continent.

“Russia is creating the conditions for a military attack on NATO states,” the strategy warns.

It adds that Russia is already conducting hybrid operations against NATO members, including Germany, through espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising Europe.

In response, NATO is reportedly seeking to increase its force levels to 460,000 troops to counter Russian capabilities.

Germany’s strategy places particular emphasis on long-range precision weapons and air defence systems, alongside investment in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics.

“In the short term, we are increasing our defence and endurance capabilities; in the medium term, we are aiming for a significant, comprehensive increase in capabilities; and in the long term, we will establish technological superiority,” Pistorius said.

By Vafa Guliyeva