Berlin, Feb 20 (TNS): Germany is coming under mounting pressure to tackle equipment shortages in its military that fellow NATO nations fear is eroding german readiness as it prepares to take the command of a NATO rapid response force.
Member states take turns heading NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in eastern Europe, which has grown in importance amid concerns that Russian military activities, including support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, have surpassed levels seen during the height of the Cold War. German lawmakers and NATO allies have grown frustrated about the slow pace of progress on the military preparedness of Europe’s most populous country and economic powerhouse, with some key weapons systems only available 40 percent of the time. German readiness levels are a serious concern, NATO diplomat, who asked not to be further identified. Defense ministry spokesman Jens Flosdorff said on Monday equipment still needed for VJTF would arrive by mid-year and the german military could carry out all its duties when it assumes rotational control of the force at the start of 2019. But Flosdorff said the ministry was concerned about shortages of tanks and other military equipment, such as body armor. The ministry aimed to reverse this trend, caused by a years-long decline in defense spending, by 2030, but this would take time, he told a regular government news conference.
Critics questioned Germany’s ability to head the VJTF next year after an internal ministry report leaked last week revealed serious deficits in the equipment of the german brigade that will lead the task force, mainly due to a lack of spare parts. The conservative daily Die Welt reported that the brigade had only nine of 44 Leopard 2 tanks, and three of the 14 Marder armored personnel carriers that it needs. It is also missing night vision goggles, support vehicles, winter clothing and body armor, according to german media reports. Henning Otte, defense spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc in parliament, said the new governing coalition deal with the Social Democrats included specific measures to improve military procurements. “We have to ensure that equipment gets to troops faster.
