Has Russia identified Germany as NATO's weak link? | DW News Desk

Germany pledged to make its military the 'backbone of defense in Europe' following Russia's shock invasion of Ukraine two years ago. But revelations of intelligence leaks, equipment failures, and ammunition shortages raise doubt that Germany's military is a fit fighting force, let alone NATO's standard bearer in Europe. What do you think: Is Germany's military up for the job and fit to fight?

Chapters
00:00 Has Russia identified Germany as NATO's weakest link?
05:25 Bundeswehr phone call leak
14:20 Politics of German military strategy
18:58 Recent German military mishaps
57:20 How NATO allies view Germany
01:16:40 What Germany's military needs to change
01:23:20 Takeaways on German military at time of Russia aggression

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[jeff]

I don’t know about whether Germany is NATO’s “problem child” but it’s intelligence services are severely lacking in competence. The US and UK have already stated they don’t share certain info with the Germans for this very reason, this needs to be sorted if they want to earn their allies confidence back

[stupidburp]

Germany’s industry is capable of rapid modernization and growth. Germany’s military is capable of rapid adaptation to modern warfare and expansion of training capabilities. Germany’s government is incapable of enabling any of this in a timely manner or adequate scale.

[dribrom]

Germany is a weak link, but compared to Turkey and Hungary? I would say they are more questionable members of NATO than Germany. Germany is more scared than weak. If NATO has just one problem child I most point at Turkey.

[stephenkanes]

I am Brit and it pains me to say that Scholz is showing no leadership. In fact, he seems to show cowardice and Putin is picking up on this. Luckily Macron is showing leadership and strength which is making Putin nervous.

[jr.farhana]

I believe that the German is truly slow. One example is the lengthy 24-month processing time for student files, even after most countries have managed to adapt their education systems in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This sluggishness seems to reflect how they handle other matters, not just in the education sector but also in processes like weapons.

[wahtusy]

Olaf is the Chamberlain in today's Europe.. dithering, no resolve, scared

[robjus]

Germany must do more and stop being afraid of Russia!

[Curryking]

Well Germany is light on helmets after donating 5000 helmets to the war in Ukraine.

[Wolf-hhrv]

We needed more than one military expert here. Journalists that can ‘t distinguish between a tank and an IFV should not be at the table.

Germany must take steps to become a major and assertive military power.

[jonnyhead]

Top brass in military discussing what damage a missile could make against a known enemy probably isn't that rare, would be interesting to hear what's been said in the Kremlin about Europe last few years.

[thamor]

Germany really needs to pull itself up. Greetings from Finland. Conscription is nothing to be afraid of to have and it actually might even help young adults to get that discipline training that doing reserve military training would do. It's a good experience to have for any young adult. Anyway if one side (Russia) is stating that you are our enemy, then whatever you believe you should take those threats seriously, Europe should not care what Russia thinks, but react to their aggressive rhetoric with decisive force. You don't bow to Putler's mafia group and Germany really needs to look at Scholz history with Russia little bit closer at some point.

[Bjarni.H]

Awesome discussion! Really love the format

[mordecai]

Germany, have you guys heard of Canada? Wanna talk about a weak link? Start there!

[MaeAustria-dlql]

After 2 years of war in Ukraine, Germany is still sleeping and Scholz haven't grown even a microscopic balls.

[chrisperry]

Why does the west feel the need to tell Putins regime what weapons they are sending to Ukraine, let that be Russias concern,

[mlebaron]

28:00, “fatigue “? The German public and other European countries’ citizens are going to be feeling fatigue when Russia sends Ukrainian and Polish conscripts into Germany and other NATO countries.

[expatinmexico]

As an American, 79 years old, I never thought I would ever say France is, by far, the strongest nation in Europe. They can see here in the US we are really a mess and it is up to France to protect Europe. Germany is guilt ridden and from what I read, very corrupt. At least in the US, it is right in our face. I have the utmost respect for France!

[santaclaus]

When it comes to Puma tanks, Küfner is just talking nonsense. They are not victims of budget cuts but of poor technological development. Politicians are not to blame for this, but rather the supplying company. The technical problems were solved in the second lot. The lady also talks about exporting these tanks. I don't know of any exports for the Puma. She also claims that the Pumas are very reliable. There's no way to know, they've never been used in a war effort.

[Michael_Harrigan]

Americans, Brits & Australians are not timid because they have each others back. Perhaps Germans still feel like the outsiders within NATO.

[johndoe-cdvt]

do your homework about the storm shadow/scalp and stop saying the torus is better!
the storm shadow's range is 560km and he can fly at 30m above the ground!