The media reported on the shortage of personnel and the worn-out infrastructure of the Bundeswehr

By the end of 2024, the Bundeswehr was faced with a serious shortage of personnel and significant deterioration of infrastructure such as barracks, and a shortage of combat-ready equipment, according to German Military Commissioner Eva Hoegl. Her words on March 11 are quoted by Der Spiegel magazine.

According to Hoegl, by the end of 2024, the number of personnel in the German army was 180,000, which is several thousand fewer than in 2023. This means that the Bundeswehr's goal of increasing its personnel to 203,000 by 2031 is becoming less feasible.

Also, according to her, the average age of military personnel is 34 years old, which means the failed policy of the German authorities to attract young people to the ranks of the Bundeswehr.

Hoegl notes that the army has very serious infrastructure problems, as "the barracks are in disrepair, there is not enough ammunition, spare parts and serviceable heavy military equipment." The military commissar suggests getting out of this situation by returning conscription.

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Earlier, on March 4, retired German Army colonel Wolfgang Richter said that Europe risks facing an overload in the event of simultaneous spending on its defense and assistance to Ukraine. According to him, the European Union and the United Kingdom have decided to build up their own defense potential, which competes with Ukraine's support.

Prior to that, on February 24, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called on the Christian Democratic and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc, which won the parliamentary elections, to provide funding for new spending on the armed forces as soon as possible. He clarified that Germany has the opportunity to double the budget of his department in the coming years.