Is Germany investing in the right weapons?

Germany’s military modernization efforts, aimed at equipping the Bundeswehr with advanced weaponry, face growing scrutiny over whether the nation is allocating resources effectively. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has exposed gaps in traditional military strategies, prompting calls for a shift toward more flexible and adaptable technologies such as drones. Despite substantial increases in defense spending, critics argue that bureaucratic inefficiencies and outdated procurement methods continue to hinder progress. In response to the war in Ukraine, Germany has dramatically increased its defense budget. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the government established a €100 billion special fund to support military operations and equipment purchases. Regular defense spending has also risen sharply, increasing from €62.4 billion in 2025 to €82.7 billion in 2026, with projections of reaching €152 billion by 2029. This represents a major financial commitment, yet questions remain about how these funds are being utilized. One of the most controversial decisions came in June when the German government canceled the FCAS (Future Combat Air System) project, a joint Franco-German initiative to develop a next-generation fighter jet. The program, which had already consumed over €100 billion, was abandoned due to delays, technical challenges, and shifting strategic priorities. Critics argue that the cancellation highlights systemic issues within Germany’s defense procurement process, which has long been plagued by red tape and mismanagement. Defense analyst Nico Lange, formerly employed by the German Defense Ministry, has voiced concerns about the effectiveness of current military planning. He described the situation as “the same dysfunctional system as before,” emphasizing that simply injecting more money into existing frameworks does not guarantee improved outcomes. “Unless you actually change the structures of military planning and procurement, nothing better will come of it,” Lange stated in an interview with Web.de. German lawmakers and officials are beginning to recognize the evolving nature of modern warfare. Andreas Schwarz, a Social Democrat member of the Bundestag defense committee, observed firsthand during a recent visit to Ukraine that discussions around traditional arms such as Taurus missiles or Leopard tanks have lost relevance. Instead, the focus has shifted to acquiring drones, ammunition, satellite technology, and cybersecurity capabilities. “What they need is help with drones, with ammunition, with modernizing their IT sector, with satellites and communication,” Schwarz explained to Deutsche Welle. However, not all experts agree that legacy systems are becoming obsolete. Max Becker, a policy fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), noted that while drone technology plays a crucial role in modern conflicts, traditional weapons such as tanks and artillery remain essential for territorial control and long-range strikes. “It’s about having the right mix of legacy systems, which you still need, and drone technology,” Becker said. “That is a dilemma because, on the one hand, you still need to invest in very expensive systems like combat tanks, which take a long time from order to delivery, but you also have to invest in systems like drones and loitering munitions.” Becker pointed out that the Ukrainian military’s reliance on drones emerged largely out of necessity, given its limited access to conventional artillery and armored vehicles. “I think the scenarios that Germany and NATO are preparing for are very different from those of the war between Russia and Ukraine because NATO has very different equipment,” he added. Schwarz echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the continued importance of traditional military assets. “I don’t want to say that we don’t need tanks anymore, not at all, we’re always going to need them,” he said. “But the question is: Do we still need them in that quantity? And could I”