Germany may soon have to wage a “defensive” war against Russia, the country's top soldier has warned.
Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer, Germany's top soldier, warned that the nation will have to get used to the idea that “one day we may have to fight a defensive war,” citing Russia's aggressive behavior dictator Vladimir Putin and his army. slow but steady rearmament efforts.
As Russia hit rock bottom in the spring of 2023, with massive shortages of vehicles, weapons and ammunition, its factories increased production of military equipment.
Russia produces more than a hundred long-range missiles a month, compared to forty a month at the start of the invasion of Ukraine, the Royal United Services Institute reports.
In addition, artillery ammunition production has nearly doubled and was recently boosted by more than a million shells and hundreds of howitzers from North Korea.
As Russia hit rock bottom in spring 2023, with massive shortages of vehicles, weapons and ammunition, its factories increased production of military equipment
Russia produces more than 100 long-range missiles a month, up from 40 a month at the start of its invasion of Ukraine
Inspector General of the Bundeswehr Carsten Breuer (pictured) admitted that the Bundeswehr is not currently set up for 'national and allied defense' as it is currently focused on solving the international crisis
Vladimir Putin has displayed increasingly aggressive behavior in the past year
Iran has also set up factories that solely support the Russian war effort.
Despite his concerns, Breuer was quick to say that Germany, a member of NATO since 1955, had the ability to defend itself: “We have no alternative. We can defend ourselves and we will defend ourselves.”
But he also admitted that the Bundeswehr is not currently set up for “national and allied defense” as it currently focuses on resolving international crises, adding that there are “structures that make quick and targeted decisions virtually impossible.” '
He said the way around this was to “prepare for technological advances and for even more intensive hybrid warfare.”
'The first step is to become aware of the threat. Not only we soldiers, but society as a whole must recognize the need for even more consistent deterrence.”
'For decades, civil-military cooperation has always been seen as a one-way street.
'If there was an emergency, a catastrophe or during a pandemic, the Bundeswehr had to intervene.
Russian production of artillery ammunition has almost doubled
'For decades, civil-military cooperation was always seen as a one-way street.' said Breuer
Last week, the head of Poland's national security service warned that Russia could trigger a third world war by attacking a NATO country within the next three years.
'But now we experience the opposite: now we need support from society.'
Germany is not the only NATO member to have warned of an impending attack from Russia.
Last week, the head of Poland's national security service warned that Russia could trigger a third world war by attacking a NATO country within the next three years.
Jacek Siewiera suggested that an attack could come from NATO's eastern flank, which includes countries such as Poland, Estonia, Romania and Lithuania.
“If we want to avoid war, NATO countries on the eastern flank must adopt a shorter time horizon of three years to prepare for the confrontation.
“This is the moment when a potential must be created on the eastern flank that would send a clear signal to deter aggression.”
“Russia's arms industry works in three shifts (every day) and can rebuild its resources within the next three years.”