German Parliament’s military ombudsman Hans-Peter Bartels has revealed that the country’s army is operating with fewer personnel, and obsolete equipment.
Bartels was quoted by Deutsche Welle as saying: "This planned shortage is jeopardising education, training and field missions. We are short of almost everything. The army is at the turning point. It cannot take more cuts."
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The German Army is reportedly facing a shortage of soldiers for a diverse range of multi-national operations, including the air campaign against ISIS in Syria, a peacekeeping mission in Mali, and the new Nato fast-response unit.
Bartels has urged an increase in the military budget from 1.16% of the national GDP to at least 1.2%, reported the publication.
In 2015, the German Parliament allocated €33bn for the defence sector, and is currently planning for an increase of €2bn for 2016. However, the funds cannot accommodate the army’s needs.
The army employs 177,000 soldiers, roughly 600,000 less than at the end of the Cold War.
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By GlobalDataThe German Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently recalled its Tornado reconnaissance jets from Syria, citing technical issues with the aircraft.
Media reports had previously emerged on a number of deficiencies in the German air force.
Germany reportedly intends to invest roughly €130bn in army infrastructure and equipment over the next 15 years in response to Bartels statement.
