Why Germany Is Rearming Its Army — and the U.S. Pressure Behind It
Germany’s decision to rearm its military—the Bundeswehr—represents a significant shift in European security dynamics. Triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this rearmament is shaped by geopolitical pressures, domestic policy changes, and external influence, particularly from the U.S. under President Donald Trump. This analysis explores why Germany is rearming, what it entails, the challenges involved, and its broader implications for Europe and NATO.
Why Germany is Rearming
Several strategic factors drive Germany’s renewed military buildup. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 served as a major wake-up call for Germany, overturning previous assumptions of peace in Europe and prompting a need to step up its defence posture 1. Germany faces pressure from NATO and its allies to assume a greater role in European defence, both in terms of capabilities and spending 2. Under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a domestic political shift aims to make Germany’s conventional army the strongest in Europe 3.
In the decades after the Cold War, Germany’s military was downsized and focused on peacekeeping rather than homeland defence, with significant reductions in tank numbers and artillery 4. Many observers argue that the Bundeswehr was largely inadequate at the outset of the Ukraine war 5.
Fiscal enablers include amendments to Germany’s debt brake, freeing up funds for defence and security 6. The German arms-industry strategy signals a shift toward greater domestic production and readiness 7.
What Germany Plans to Do
Germany aims to increase its armed forces from approximately 203,000 to perhaps 230,000 troops to meet new NATO requirements 8. The army is being reformed to include significant expansions, with memos suggesting it must more than double in size from its current 62,000 active Land Forces to meet readiness goals 9.
Defensive posture changes include deploying a permanent brigade to Lithuania for the first time since WWII to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank 10. Structurally, the Bundeswehr will restructure command, increase readiness for high-intensity conflict, and merge domestic and foreign operational commands 11.
Capability upgrades encompass major procurements of artillery systems, digital networks, air defence, and army mechanisation 12. The defence industry strategy emphasises long-term contracts, R&D, supply-chain security, and domestic production of key systems 7.
Challenges Germany Faces
Despite ambitious plans, Germany contends with major shortfalls, with analyses suggesting the Bundeswehr will struggle to meet readiness deadlines 13. Equipment readiness is low, with many helicopters, howitzers, and other systems non-operational 14.
Recruitment difficulties persist, with dropouts high within initial months 15. Scaling up personnel in a short timeframe is challenging 16.
Financial and industrial constraints risk delaying under-funded programmes, requiring Germany to rebuild defence production capabilities 17. Domestic and political friction arises from post-WWII traditions emphasising defence, creating unease over a large conventional army 18.
Implications for Germany, Europe, and NATO
Germany’s rearmament repositions it as a major European military power, shifting its strategic role significantly 19. Risks include cost overruns, reputational concerns like perceptions of German militarism, and challenges in civil-military relations 20.
For Europe and NATO, Germany’s commitment bolsters the eastern flank and deters aggressors, encouraging burden-sharing among other nations 21. However, if Germany falters in delivery, it could undermine credibility 22.
Germany’s emergence as a stronger conventional force signals potential European strategic autonomy, reducing reliance on the U.S. 23. Russia may view this as escalation, possibly affecting deterrence dynamics 24. Germany’s arms industry revival could influence export flows and joint European defence projects 25.
Outlook
Germany faces an ambitious path toward achieving its military ambitions, with successes depending on overcoming recruitment, industrial, and political hurdles. The goal of becoming Europe’s most powerful conventional army will require consistent effort across personnel, equipment, and industry. Yet, the strategic necessity from Russia’s actions provides strong impetus for change.
U.S. Influence and Germany’s Response
The U.S., particularly under President Donald Trump, exerted significant pressure on Germany to increase defence spending. Trump repeatedly urged NATO allies, including Germany, to reach higher GDP percentages for defence 26. In May 2025, Germany backed Trump’s push for 5% GDP defence spending in principle 27.
Germany’s response evolved, with initial resistance under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who deemed the 5% target too costly 28. Later, under Merz, Germany aligned more closely, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stating they would follow Trump’s demands 29.
While U.S. pressure catalyzed shifts—through public critiques and troop-deployment leverage—Germany frames its changes as driven by strategic needs, such as the Russian threat, rather than solely U.S. influence 30. This balance of external pressure and internal drivers shapes Germany’s defence policy.
Sources: Multiple references from Reuters, DW News, AP News, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, Britannica, and various policy institutes as cited throughout. Researched using ChatGPT with web search enabled and edited by human.