A senior Bundeswehr general warns that hybrid threats and a shifting security landscape force Germany to rethink readiness and deter potential aggression.
Russia, in the foreseeable future, remains the greatest threat to security in Europe, and Germany must strengthen its own defense capabilities to prevent an open military conflict.
This was stated in an interview by the president of the Federal Academy for Security Policy of the Federal Republic of Germany (BAKS), Major General of the Bundeswehr Wolf-Jürgen Stahl.
“The federal government clearly understands: we must become more resilient, particularly to hybrid attacks that are already taking place. And we must be capable of defending ourselves so that, through strengthening defense capabilities, we prevent an open military conflict, primarily with Russia”
– Wolf-Jürgen Stahl
He added that Ukraine is already directly feeling this threat:
“Ukraine feels this in its own skin, so to speak”
– Wolf-Jürgen Stahl
The Major General also commented on the “Zeitenwende” (turning of the times), proclaimed after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to him, the change in the security framework in Europe is already widely understood and accepted in Germany.
According to the president of BAKS, since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Germany’s perception of security and defense issues has changed.
“The perception of such concepts as defense capability, combat readiness, or – a term introduced by our minister – ‘readiness for war’ (Kriegstüchtigkeit) has changed. These topics are today in a much greater focus of attention”
– Wolf-Jürgen Stahl
The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, previously stated that Germany would as quickly as possible make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional army in Europe, capable of withstanding any test if needed.
Changes in Europe’s security and defense policy are ongoing and shaping Berlin’s new approach to deterring threats, particularly from Russia, as well as defining Europe’s role in the security architecture of the modern world order. These processes remain key to the continent’s stability.
A Look at the Future of Europe’s Defense
At the center of attention is strengthening defense capabilities, increasing combat readiness, and understanding how further strengthening defensive capacity will affect the continent’s security architecture. Such changes reflect Berlin’s aim to ensure resilience in response to contemporary challenges and to define Europe’s role in the global security system.
It remains clear: for the stability of the European region, coordination among countries and deterrence systems focused on preventing conflicts and protecting civilians are essential.