The Bundeswehr is Germany's army and one of the country's most important institutions. It was founded in 1955 and has undergone numerous changes and reforms since then. The tasks of the Bundeswehr have also changed and expanded over time, from national defense during the Cold War to participation in international peacekeeping missions. The Bundeswehr is an army under parliamentary control that is committed to Germany's security and interests. In the public perception, however, the Bundeswehr is repeatedly criticized, be it for its lack of operational readiness or its participation in controversial foreign missions. Overall, the Bundeswehr is an important institution of the German state and a key security policy player. What are the Bundeswehr's tasks? The most important tasks of the Bundeswehr are Overall, the Bundeswehr is an institution that is active in various areas and whose tasks are constantly changing over the course of time. What does the Bundeswehr budget consist of? The Bundeswehr budget is divided into different areas, each of which is responsible for different expenditure. The most important areas are The exact share of these areas in the Bundeswehr budget can vary from year to year, depending on the tasks and priorities of the Bundeswehr. What foreign deployments has the Bundeswehr had? The Bundeswehr has taken part in numerous missions abroad since it was founded. Some of the most important missions are listed here: This list does not claim to be exhaustive, as the Bundeswehr has also been and continues to be involved in other deployments and missions. However, the missions listed show the breadth and variety of tasks that the Bundeswehr performs abroad. What criticism is leveled at the Bundeswehr? Criticism of the Bundeswehr is varied and is voiced by different groups and stakeholders. Here are some of the most frequent points of criticism: This list is not exhaustive and there are certainly other points of criticism of the Bundeswehr. It is important to emphasize that the Bundeswehr, as a public institution, is subject to constant social scrutiny and must therefore constantly face criticism and discussion.
Arms: How Germany’s procurement priorities are jeopardizing its security
Germany wants to strengthen its own industry and is placing increasing emphasis on “Made in Germany.” In doing so, it is wasting taxpayer money and putting the country’s security at risk, writes a partner at the German-Israeli consulting firm Iron-Bridge.
By David Levy