Merz Demands Stronger Defense in Wartime Era

Chancellor Calls for Permanent Military Readiness

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has issued a stark warning about the country’s current defense posture, stating that peace and freedom in Germany cannot be taken for granted. During his first official visit to the Bundeswehr as head of government, Merz addressed soldiers and commanders at the newly established Operational Command in Schwielowsee, Brandenburg, and stressed the need for expanded military investment and preparedness in light of continued geopolitical instability in Europe.

Speaking against the backdrop of the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, Merz emphasized that Germany must be ready to defend itself. “We want to be able to defend ourselves so that we never have to,” he said. His remarks mark a significant moment in Germany’s evolving security policy, highlighting a shift toward long-term rearmament and closer military coordination with NATO allies.

New Command Center Becomes Symbol of Military Reform

The Chancellor’s visit took place during the nationwide “Day of the Bundeswehr,” where military units across Germany opened their doors to the public. The Schwielowsee site, located near Potsdam, serves as the core of the Bundeswehr’s new joint Operational Command. Activated in April 2025, this facility now coordinates Germany’s domestic and international missions, oversees operations planning across all branches—Army, Navy, Air Force, and Cyber Command—and acts as a key liaison to NATO, EU partners, and civilian authorities.

General Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, and Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, Commander of the Operational Command, welcomed the Chancellor. In their briefing, they provided a detailed overview of the command’s wide-ranging responsibilities, including responses to hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region and ongoing Bundeswehr deployments in the Middle East—specifically Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon.

The command also plays a strategic role in Germany’s “Operationsplan Deutschland,” the military component of national defense planning, and is positioned as a central logistical hub in NATO’s eastern defense architecture.

Budget Expansion and NATO Commitments

During his speech, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to dramatically increasing defense spending. At the recent NATO summit in The Hague, Germany pledged to invest five percent of its GDP into national security—3.5 percent dedicated to military defense and another 1.5 percent allocated to critical infrastructure.

The German defense budget has already seen significant increases. From €74.5 billion in 2024, the planned budget for this year is set to reach €115.7 billion. Projections indicate further growth up to €152.8 billion by 2029. These increases are not only financial signals but also policy markers of Germany’s strategic shift in an increasingly hostile global environment.

Merz emphasized that financial resources alone are insufficient. “Strong forces require more than money and weapons. They need efficient command structures,” he stated. He described the Operational Command as the “operational heart” of the German military, a place where all threads converge—whether in territorial defense, alliance responsibilities, or international crisis missions.

Tribute to Fallen Soldiers and a Pledge of Presence

At the conclusion of his visit, Chancellor Merz paid respects in the “Wald der Erinnerung” (Forest of Remembrance), a memorial honoring Bundeswehr personnel who lost their lives in foreign missions. With solemn reflection, he laid a white rose and stood in silence before the stelae engraved with the names of 119 fallen soldiers. The gesture served as both remembrance and a reminder of the real human cost of Germany’s international commitments.

Merz also reaffirmed his intention to remain closely engaged with the armed forces during his tenure. He pledged to continue visiting Bundeswehr locations regularly, just as he had done previously as the opposition leader, stating that he would maintain open communication with service members across the country.

Strategic Focus Extends Beyond Germany

The Chancellor’s remarks come just weeks after he attended the formal deployment of the German Panzerbrigade 45 in Vilnius, Lithuania, alongside Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. The armored brigade, permanently stationed on NATO’s eastern flank, serves as a key element in NATO’s deterrence strategy. Its presence in Lithuania reinforces Germany’s long-term commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the NATO Charter.

Germany’s increased leadership role in Europe’s defense ecosystem reflects a broader recalibration of its post-WWII military doctrine. The return of large-scale war to the continent has accelerated efforts to modernize the Bundeswehr, enhance interoperability with NATO partners, and prepare for scenarios that, just a few years ago, seemed remote.

In his address, Merz drew a clear line from military strength to civilian security: “What you accomplish here is fundamental to our lives in freedom, peace, and prosperity.” This statement captures the growing consensus within Germany’s political leadership that national defense is no longer an abstract policy matter but a tangible requirement of daily life.