The budget increase will allow the armed forces to expand by up to 10,000 additional soldiers next year.
On Wednesday, Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil unveiled a draft budget that proposes a 32.5% increase in Germany’s defense spending for 2026, raising the total from 62.4 billion euros to 82.7 billion euros.
This budget increase will enable the German armed forces to expand by up to 10,000 additional soldiers in the coming year. The ministry estimates that Germany’s NATO contribution rate is expected to reach 2.8% in 2026, with aspirations to attain 3.5% by 2029.
Furthermore, substantial support for Ukraine—both military and humanitarian—will be incorporated in the budget, with an additional allocation of 9 billion euros dedicated to this purpose.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized that in addition to the 82.7 billion euros, the armed forces will gain access to approximately 25.5 billion euros from a special fund, bringing total defense resources to over 108 billion euros next year. The government intends to create 10,000 new military positions along with 2,000 civilian roles, resulting in a total of 202,483 military and around 77,899 civilian positions.
Additionally, as a part of the planned military service reforms, 20,000 positions will be established for short-term volunteer soldiers. The draft budget aims to enhance troop equipment and infrastructure while also prioritizing investment in personnel.
The proposal is currently slated for parliamentary approval, with the first reading scheduled in the Bundestag during the week of September 22 to 26. The significant budgetary shift reflects Germany’s commitment to strengthening its military capabilities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Europe and beyond, reports 24brussels.
