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“The threat situation in Europe has worsened”: Boris Pistorius. © Michael Kappeler/dpa
The Defense Minister wants a Bundeswehr that is ready for a defensive war. The leadership structure for this should be a central command and four branches of the armed forces.
Berlin - Defense Minister Boris Pistorius wants to better position the Bundeswehr for the defense of Germany and its allies and is planning a unified command and preparations for the reinstatement of compulsory military service.
In addition, the military is to be restructured into four branches of the armed forces and a joint support command, said the SPD politician in Berlin. In addition to the army, air force and navy, the cyber and information space (CIR) force is now being upgraded to its own branch of the armed forces. This specializes in electronic warfare and cyber operations, reconnaissance and the protection of electronic infrastructure.
Pooling of skills
In a joint support command, Pistorius wants to bundle skills that are needed in all areas. He named the central medical service, logistics, military police (military police), defense against nuclear, biological and chemical warfare agents (NBC defense) and civil-military cooperation (Cimic). All branches of the armed forces should have access to these capabilities as required. The concept is not new and has already been practiced with the armed forces base, which is a cumbersome term. Previous considerations, however, envisaged that the military police and the ABC defense should be subordinated to the army. Pistorius has now decided against it. However, the homeland security forces are assigned to the army.
“The threat situation in Europe has worsened. It must be clear to everyone: We are defending our country and our allies and are making it clear - again with this step - that no one should come up with the idea of attacking us as a NATO territory," said Pistorius. “We have to convey this credibly and truthfully and to do this the Bundeswehr must be organized along the lines mentioned. I gave the armed forces six months to adapt.”
Clearer allocation of responsibilities
The aim is also to assign responsibilities more clearly and avoid duplicate structures. “This is what matters in an emergency - or actually one should say: in the event of war, in the event of defense. That is the aim we are pursuing with this reform,” he said. The military administration will “now be geared towards implementing the reinstatement of compulsory military service on the basis of this decision”. In the event of a defense, there is immediate conscription and the task is to be able to implement this. The law stipulates that the suspended conscription for men will be revived if a situation of tension or defense occurs. Pistorius is currently also having models for compulsory military service in peacetime examined.
The Bundeswehr has previously had an operations command in Schwielowsee near Potsdam for planning and controlling foreign operations such as in West Africa or now with the frigate “Hessen” in the Red Sea. In addition, a territorial command for national defense was created in Berlin, in which the operational plan (“OPLAN”) for the national defense of Germany was developed. The two positions have very different tasks, but also possible overlap. They are now to be merged and both locations maintained.
Warworthiness as a maxim for action
Last November, at the Bundeswehr conference, Pistorius proclaimed “warworthiness as a maxim for action” in new defense policy guidelines. “Our common goal is to restructure the Bundeswehr in such a way that it is optimally positioned even in the event of an emergency, in the event of defense, in the event of war,” he now said. The idea behind the new operational command is planning and operational management of the Bundeswehr “from a single source”. The command will also become the central contact for NATO.
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When asked, Pistorius confirmed that there is a risk of a gap in NATO's two percent target in next year's budget. “That's no secret. The number is mentioned. We need around 6.5 billion euros more next year,” he said. On the occasion of NATO's 75th anniversary, he emphasized the importance of the alliance. “In the last two years in particular, I think she has impressively shown what strength she can develop when she is challenged. The greater and more acute the threat from outside, the closer and better the allies work together.” dpa