After the
constant flow of news reports in recent months about the inadequacy of the
Bundeswehr, I thought it interesting to examine the current problems that the Bundeswehr
is facing. As a country that has led the way in deploying troops to conflict
zones such as Afghanistan and the Balkans, a modern military is needed. In
order to maintain its position in the E.U. as one of the leading fighting
forces, the following problems must be addressed.
One
of the biggest debacles facing the Bundeswehr currently is the problem of the
G-36 rifle. This rifle is the standard issue rifle of the Bundeswehr and
soldiers have long complained about it having issues in firefights. The German Defense Ministry admitted this week that it
has been proven through tests that when the gun heats up due to firing the
accuracy rapidly decreases. It has been shown that the accuracy varies by up to
half a meter during extended firing after multiple complaints from soldiers stationed
in Afghanistan. Not only is this an embarrassment for the Defense Ministry, but
also for Heckler and Koch, which has sold more than 180.000 of the rifles to the Bundeswehr.
The
German Luftwaffe is also having multiple issues which have been highly
publicized in German media recently. The Eurofighter, produced by Airbus, was
shown to have massive problems incurred during the production process. As a
result of this, Airbus was forced to reduce the life expectancy of the plane
from 3000 to 1500
flight hours. Moreover, only 42 of the 109 fighters are combat ready. The newest
attack helicopter, the Tiger, is also not free from embarrassment. For example,
due to problems with the fuel tank, an inspection is required after every 25
flight hours. Only 10 of the 31 Tigers are also combat ready. Pilots of the
helicopter also are not very fond of it, as stated: “Not only must our pilots maneuver so, that the enemy
combatants on the ground are exactly in front of them, but they must also fly
much closer to the combatants than other helicopters. Due to that, the Tigers
are the ideal target for enemy troops.”
One of the most present examples of the
problems that the Bundeswehr has been facing recently is the MH-90. Used by the
Deutsche Marine as a transport and rescue helicopter, it is not even permitted
to perform one of the most basic missions that it was designed for: flying over
the Baltic and North Seas. It is also not allowed to
fly medical rescue missions as well. Other technical problems include issues
with the engine, the fact that the seats cannot hold fully donned soldiers,
lack of space in the helicopter and even the fact that soldiers with muddy
boots cannot board, as the interior section is extremely sensitive to impurities
such as dirt and mud.
Until
2011, Germany, like several other nations in Europe, relied on the Wehrpflicht
or general conscription in order to maintain its troop levels. Due to political
pressure, this policy was reversed and now the Bundeswehr is beginning to feel
the effects. In order to maintain the current active duty levels of 185,000
troops, around 13,000 new soldiers per year need to be recruited. Without the
Wehrpflicht, a mix of recruits from all social classes is not achievable.
Additionally, the German economy is experiencing a boom and potential recruits
find better paying jobs in the private sector. One could also include the reputation of soldiers or the military in Germany
in general when examining the problem of recruiting. When there is a large and
vocal portion of society that is viciously anti-intervention and anti-military,
potential recruits might lose interest due to social and societal pressures.
All
in all, if the Bundeswehr intends on maintaining combat readiness in a period
where, as already seen, countries such as Russia are becoming more aggressive,
drastic changes need to be made. An army is only as useful as its resources
allow it to be, and when even the standard issue weapons do not function as
required, it is doubtful how effective the Bundeswehr can remain.
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