German defence Minister Boris Pistorius plans to order immense quantities of tanks and another combat vehicles. For up to EUR 25 billion, Berlin wants to purchase, among others, 1 1000 Leopard 2 tanks – Bloomberg's service, followed by German media.
In addition, about 2.5 1000 GTK Boxer armoured transporters are to be ordered. These vehicles are already utilized by the Bundeswehr and can carry up to 10 soldiers. Tanks are to be manufactured by Rheinmetall and KNDS and armoured vehicles by ARTEC (the Rheinmetall and KNDS consortium). The German Ministry of defence does not comment on Bloomberg's reports so far.
NATO equipment
This large order is intended to supply equipment for fresh NATO troops," Bloomberg informs, citing his informants. The Alliance has asked Germany to deploy 7 additional brigades over the next 10 years. Each of these units, with up to 5,000 soldiers, is intended to service the intent of deterring Russia.
The full cost of the order can be up to 25 billion euro – Bloomberg's informants estimate, but the negotiations are inactive ongoing. The order has not yet been completed and the final decision is to be made by the end of the year. If accepted, the investment will only be recognised in the next national budget.
More soldiers
Such an order would be another large step for the Minister of Defence A German to arm the Bundeswehr.
On 4 July, the media reported that the head of the Defence Ministry Boris Pistorius planned to recruit an additional 114 1000 people for military service by 2029. The applicable draft Act on Voluntary Military Service wants to present to the Cabinet in late August this year. The bill would enter into force by January 2026. According to media reports, returning to compulsory military service is to be possible, but under certain conditions.
