Germany is embarking on an unprecedented military transformation that promises to reshape the balance of power in Europe. On May 14, Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared a commitment to build the strongest army on the continent, a move reflecting growing alarm over the Russian dictator’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Backed by a massive infrastructure fund of $547 billion (£440 billion) and the scrapping of Germany’s long-standing debt brake, this military revival is set to begin immediately.
Germany has already been one of Ukraine’s top supporters, providing $53.8 billion (£43.3 billion) in aid and approving an additional $3.36 billion (£2.7 billion) package in March. Now, with tensions escalating, Merz is pushing for defence spending to rise to 5 percent of Germany’s gross domestic product, signalling a sharp increase from NATO’s usual 2 percent target. There is also talk of reintroducing conscription, marking a major shift in military policy for the country.
Historically, Germany’s cautious approach to military power has been shaped by its dark past, avoiding a strong armed force in fear of repeating history. Yet the Russian dictator’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has shattered old certainties, waking a “sleeping giant” as Merz put it. The Chancellor insists that Germany must no longer be weak, as weakness “invites aggression.”
Germany’s military is currently ranked as the fourth strongest in Europe, behind the United Kingdom, France and Italy. However, Merz’s vision aims to push Germany to the very top, matching its economic strength with military might. This goal is about more than just defence; it is intended to deter any future aggression from Moscow and strengthen Europe’s security as a whole.
Despite this new focus on military strength, Merz has pledged continued unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasising Germany’s role as one of its strongest financial and military backers. The aim is to support Ukraine so the country can remain the frontline against the Russian dictator’s expansionism, preventing further conflict from spreading across Europe.
To fund this ambitious programme, Germany has removed its debt brake, a fiscal rule that limited government borrowing. This has freed up resources to create the $547 billion (£440 billion) infrastructure fund, earmarked for military and security investments. This level of commitment dwarfs the $108 billion (£87 billion) pledged by the previous government.
Merz’s push also comes at a time when NATO is reconsidering defence spending targets. The alliance’s new proposal suggests that members should aim for 3.5 percent of GDP on defence and an additional 1.5 percent on security, effectively meeting the 5 percent target originally demanded by former US President Donald Trump, though Trump’s past motives were widely questioned. Germany’s backing of this higher spending underlines its determination to share the burden of European security fully.
Germany’s transformation reflects a fundamental shift in national identity. For decades, the country avoided military might to atone for past conflicts, but today a younger generation recognises the need to defend democracy and freedom against authoritarian threats. One 18-year-old, Charlotte Kreft, expressed the changing mindset: “For a long time, we thought demilitarisation was the only way to ensure history never repeated itself. But now, we must fight for our values.”
