Modernization of the Bundeswehr: Back to basics?
Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, the Bundeswehr has been led to refocus on territorial defense and collective security, which constituted the core of its activity for decades. This evolution break with the long period of efforts during which the Bundeswehr painfully tried to transform itself into an intervention army.
With the creation of a unique special fund of 100 billion euros, the Bundeswehr benefits from an unprecedented opportunity, both to equip itself with modern and interoperable forces and to restore its credibility towards its allies, primarily the United States. In the current economic context, the sustainability of this transformation remains open, considering the volatility of public opinion and risks of political arbitration favoring the stabilization of public finances. The German government’s objective, to make the Bundeswehr the first conventional army in Europe will lead to a shift of balance on the continent, even if this happens in a multinational framework and on a cooperative basis. It is important to measure the implications of this shift for the European security, the transatlantic relationship, and Germany’s partnerships with European states, including France.
Éric André Martin is Secretary General of the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa).
This publication is available in French: "La modernisation de la Bundeswehr : un retour aux fondamentaux ?" (pdf)
Author(s)
Éric-André MARTIN
Former Secretary General of the Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa), Ifri
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The Study Committee on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa)
The Committee for the Study of Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) was created in 1954 by an inter-governmental agreement between the Federal Republic of Germany and France, in order to raise awareness of Germany in France and analyze Franco-German relations, including in their European and international dimensions. In its conferences and seminars, which bring together experts, political leaders, senior decision-makers and representatives of civil society from both countries, Cerfa develops the Franco-German debate and stimulates political proposals. It regularly publishes studies through two collections: Cerfa notes and studies as well as Franco-German visions.
Cerfa maintains close relations with the network of German foundations and think tanks. In addition to its research and debate activities, Cerfa promotes the emergence of a new Franco-German generation through original cooperation programs. This is how in 2021-2022, Cerfa led a program on multilateralism with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Paris. This program is aimed at young professionals from both countries interested in the issues of multilateralism in the context of their activities. It covered a wide range of themes relating to multilateralism, such as international trade, health, human rights and migration, non-proliferation and disarmament. Previously, Cerfa had participated in the Franco-German future dialogue, co-led with the DGAP from 2007 to 2020, and supported by the Robert Bosch Foundation and the Daniel Vernet group (formerly the Franco-German Reflection Group) which was founded in 2014 upon the initiative of the Genshagen Foundation.
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