04.02.2025 16:40
Germany's Chief of General Staff Carsten Breuer stated that they see Russia as an "open threat." Emphasizing the need to increase defense spending, Breuer said, "We need to be ready for war by 2029."
The Chief of the German Armed Forces, Carsten Breuer, stated in an interview with the German economic newspaper Handelsblatt that they see Russia as an "open threat" and argued that defense spending needs to be increased for this reason.
"WE DON'T NEED TO LINE UP THOUSANDS OF TANKS SIDE BY SIDE"
Breuer said, "(Russian President) Vladimir Putin's aggression is being met with the unity and determination of NATO countries. This is not an iron curtain. We see an open threat in the East, and we are doing something to counter this threat. We don't need to line up thousands of tanks side by side as we did during the Cold War. What we need is a flexible and smart defense plan, and we have a plan."
"EVERY COUNTRY IN EUROPE MUST DO MORE FOR DEFENSE"
Pointing out the necessity of combat tanks in Europe, unlike the U.S., Breuer stated, "We will continue to have various types of tanks. However, we must move towards standardization. Given the challenges we face, there is no other way. The best example of this is the integration of the German and Dutch Armed Forces or our cooperation with Norway. However, every country in Europe must do more for defense."
"WE NEED TO BE READY FOR WAR BY 2029"
Breuer, who stated that they are coordinating cooperation with other countries, said, "We need to be ready for war by 2029, and if I start joint armament projects now, it will not be effective if weapons are on the field by the mid-2030s. Therefore, the armed forces are purchasing more than what is currently available on the market."
"THE SITUATION IS VERY SERIOUS"
In response to a question about whether talking about a future war threat with Russia is "fear-mongering," Breuer replied: "No, the situation is very serious. Putin is systematically implementing his plans. The rearmament processes are ongoing. However, many variables are subject to change over time and depend on the course of the war in Ukraine. As an officer, I have to consider the worst-case scenario. When analysts say (the likelihood of war) is 'between 4 and 7 years,' I assume it is 4 years. This does not mean that there will definitely be a Russian attack in 2029, but it also does not mean that it cannot happen earlier. We must prepare ourselves as well as possible. This applies not only to soldiers but to society as a whole."