German army far from fit to go into battle

Germany’s armed forces are being pushed beyond their limits as Berlin makes greater international commitments while failing to invest in and reform the military, according to a report published on Tuesday.

“The army’s readiness to deploy has not improved in recent years, but instead has got even worse,” parliamentary armed forces commissioner Hans-Peter Bartels said as he presented his annual findings at a press conference, pointing to “big gaps” in personnel and equipment.

By the end of 2017, all Germany’s submarines were in dry dock for repairs, while in recent months there have been periods where none of the air force’s 14 A400M transport planes was airworthy.

The litany of disrepair continues through fighter planes, tanks, helicopters and ships lamed by bad planning and lack of spare parts. Air force pilots are unable to train as their aircraft are grounded for maintenance for much of the year, the report notes.

Spending on defence has been cut repeatedly since 1990, leaving the army with often outdated equipment and the defence industry unable to suddenly increase production to fill the gaps.

Despite government promises to find more cash, “tasks for which there are supposed to be additional people and equipment in future are already upon us”, Bartels said. “Soldiers already have to accomplish them as best they can, using whatever is to hand.”

14 is the number of Germany’s A400M transport planes