Germany Commits to Become NATO's Conventional Backbone, Expert Highlights Challenges
German society largely supports the country's commitment to become the strongest conventional army in Europe and NATO's backbone, but there remains a gap between general support and acceptance of specific measures, German expert Andrea Rotere said in an interview.
Germany has come a long way strategically, financially, and in public discourse since Chancellor Olaf Scholz's 'Zeitenwende' speech, which marked a turning point in security policy. According to Rotere, the old assumption that economic interdependence would guarantee security has been shattered, and with majority public support, Germany is determined to become the strongest conventional army in Europe and NATO's conventional backbone to take responsibility for European security.
However, while polls show Germans generally support NATO, increased defense spending, and allied assistance, support drops when it comes to specific measures such as tax increases or deploying troops abroad. Rotere emphasizes that there is still a need for public explanation to transform the principled support into a deeper understanding of why these measures are necessary.
Threat perception in Germany has changed significantly—Russia is seen as a threat, including its hybrid activities. Although Germany is not a frontline state, its economic and political weight makes it the logistical backbone of NATO defense, making it a target for Russian hybrid actions. Germans increasingly doubt the reliability of US security guarantees, thus supporting stronger European autonomy, yet they still consider NATO indispensable within the transatlantic alliance.
Germany is already acting practically—establishing a permanent brigade in Lithuania and taking on command roles with the Netherlands. Rotere notes that Germany no longer waits for all EU member states to agree but forms 'coalitions of the willing' outside the EU, such as the Weimar Triangle with France and Poland, to develop necessary capabilities.
Challenges remain significant. Politically, coalition government disagreements exist, e.g., over reinstating mandatory military service, resulting in a compromise on voluntary service. Economically and bureaucratically, procurement processes are too slow and expensive, and expanding defense industrial capacity requires investment certainty. Another major challenge is increasing the Bundeswehr's personnel from currently 180,000 active soldiers to 460,000 as required by NATO plans.
Rotere believes German society can handle the truth and wants honest debates. The main task in the coming years will be to realistically explain why these measures are needed and ensure the public sees results.
