Germany's military expansion sparks European concerns

Germany is undergoing a significant military expansion, aiming to build the strongest conventional army in Europe. Under the ‘Zeitenwende’ policy, Berlin plans to more than double its armed forces to 460,000 within a decade, with a defense budget projected to reach €152.8 billion by 2029—surpassing the combined budgets of the UK and France.

This rapid rearmament has caused concern within the European Union regarding the balance of power on the continent. Tensions are compounded by the rising popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The AfD advocates for policies that could destabilize European unity, including withdrawing from the EU, lifting sanctions against Russia, and resuming Russian energy purchases.

To support its military ambitions, Germany is investing in advanced technology, including F-35 fighter jets, Leopard tanks, and Tomahawk cruise missiles. The defense firm Rheinmetall has also expanded capacity, with its CEO noting that Germany is now capable of producing more ammunition than the United States.