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Army Inspector Mais: “We can’t always afford lengthy development solutions”
Photo: Sebastian Kahnert / picture alliance / dpa / dpa central image
The Bundeswehr is apparently skeptical that the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine can be ended quickly.
"Militarily, I'm afraid the war will last a long time - possibly freezing in the meantime," Army Inspector Alfons Mais told Zeit Online.
In any case, for him there could only be the perspective of a "completely restored territorial integrity of the UN member Ukraine," said the lieutenant general.
He also wondered what "peace with the Putin system" should look like, said Mais.
With a view to possible further arms deliveries, Mais kept a low profile.
He has to make sure "that the army is able to fulfill our core tasks - the defense of the country and the alliance partners," says Mais about possible further deliveries from Bundeswehr stocks.
Bundeswehr walks on the gums
The Bundeswehr's stocks are extremely thin anyway, and the situation is getting worse with the deliveries promised in ring deals.
Within the troops there is therefore resistance to further bloodletting of the weapons depots.
According to strategists, the Bundeswehr can currently only provide the military capabilities indicated by NATO.
The lack of weapons in the Bundeswehr put Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) in a dilemma.
Partners like Poland are insisting on a quick replacement from Germany for the weapons delivered to Ukraine.
But taxes from German stocks cause displeasure among the domestic military.
Lambrecht recently rejected calls for further payments from the troop depots.
As commander, she cannot be responsible for further deliveries from Bundeswehr stocks.
However, Mais urged »Zeit Online« for reforms and pragmatism in the procurement of new equipment.
When procuring the main weapon systems, it is important to focus on what is "absolutely necessary" and to find solutions that are available on the market.
"We can't always afford lengthy development solutions," says Mais.
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