As Hogl points out in the report, The army is not approaching the mark of 203,000 soldiers by 2031. The condition for present is about 181,000 soldiers.
This is at a time erstwhile Germany declares an increased commitment to strengthening Europe’s defence,” emphasises the Financial Times, quoting the key elements of the report.
The study revealed many problems
Hogl pointed out that the number of soldiers is decreasing and their average age is increasing. It is now 34 years old, while in 2021 it was 33.1. The Commissioner stressed the request for urgent action to halt and reverse this unfavourable trend.
She besides stressed in the study that Soldiers are overburdened.. She noted that the Bundeswehr was active in national defence as well as allied defence within NATO. The army besides participates in global crisis actions, which puts it on the brink of operational capacity.
Worse still, like Hogl, even if the number of recruits in the German army had increased, There would be a problem with their accommodation. The barracks are missing, and those existing are in worse and worse method condition.
The situation is akin with military equipment. Many vehicles and weapons deficiency spare parts, partially due to the fact that they were handed over to Ukraine fighting Russia.
On the list of problems are besides among others. excessive bureaucracy and low digitalisation. For example, soldiers who take part in abroad missions and request to hire a car receive a refund only after sending the form to the fleet management company within the Bundeswehr.
Högl stressed that specified problems cause frustration among staff and negatively affect their motivation. The German proxy called for decisive action to improve the situation in the Bundeswehr and supply the army with adequate resources to carry out its tasks.
