German military warns Russia could be ready for conflict with NATO by 2029

Inspector General of the German Armed Forces Carsten Breuer has warned that Russia could potentially be prepared for a confrontation with NATO by 2029, while not ruling out the possibility of an earlier escalation.

In a joint interview with the British Chief of the Defence Staff, Richard Knighton, published by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, Breuer said several indicators suggest increasing long-term military risk from Moscow.

“Various indicators — armaments, an increase in troop numbers, economic and political changes — point to a single date: 2029. Could it happen sooner? Yes,” Breuer said.

He stressed that Germany and its allies must urgently strengthen readiness across their armed forces.

“Firstly, we need readiness for immediate engagement; secondly, an increase in combat capability by 2029; and, thirdly, technological superiority by 2035 and beyond,” he added, referring to NATO’s evolving defence planning and capability targets.

British military chief Richard Knighton said it is not possible to predict the exact timing of any potential conflict, but warned that the security threat environment facing Europe continues to intensify.

By Sabina Mammadli