On December 22, 2024, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed concerns regarding the potential for Russia to attack NATO territory in the coming years. In an interview with Funke Mediengruppe, he stated that ignoring the threat posed by Russia could lead to increased dangers.
Pistorius indicated that while there is currently no expectation of a military attack on NATO, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been systematically transitioning the Russian economy towards military production. He noted that within a few months, Russia produces more weapons and ammunition than all EU countries combined in a year.
The minister warned that by 2029 or 2030, Russia could strengthen its military capabilities to the extent that an attack on NATO might be feasible. He stressed the importance of being prepared for potential attempts by Putin to test NATO's unity through incursions into alliance territories.
Pistorius also highlighted the hybrid threats facing Germany from Russia, suggesting that Putin's strategy aims to destabilize and divide German society. He pointed to various forms of attacks, including on infrastructure and energy supply, as well as activities in the North and Baltic Seas.
Moreover, the minister mentioned disinformation campaigns on social media that seek to influence public opinion and electoral processes, funding parties that claim Germany is not protecting its interests. He emphasized the necessity of countering these strategies to prevent further destabilization.
While acknowledging that Germany has supplied significant military equipment to Ukraine, Pistorius affirmed that the German armed forces are on the right path, with 97 major projects approved in 2024 amounting to 58 billion euros. However, he recognized the challenges in addressing the military gaps that have developed over the past three decades.
Delivery timelines for military equipment remain lengthy, with tanks like the Leopard taking up to 2.5 years and frigates and submarines between six to eight years. Pistorius underscored that rectifying these issues cannot be achieved within a single electoral term.