The German Defense Ministry intends to spend 825 million euros on a new uniform, despite a serious shortage of funds for the purchase of weapons, the Bild tabloid reported.
“The Bundeswehr does not have enough money. Packet. Defense Minister boris pistorius he just complained that he needs additional billions from the Bundestag to buy infantry fighting vehicles and ammunition. Despite the financial emergency, where there is not enough money for weapons, the Ministry of Defense plans to spend 825 million euros on new uniforms for its soldiers. A plan that made the Bundestag budget committee shake its head in amazement,” the publication notes.
As can be seen from the request of the German Ministry of Defense, we are not talking about combat or daily use equipment, but rather a dress uniform, consisting of a uniform, shirt, pants, headdress, socks and a pair of shoes. The heterogeneity of the ceremonial decorations, particularly the differences in color, is also one of the reasons for the high cost of the initiative.
Of the 825 million euros requested by the Ministry of Defense, only 306 million are provided for in the budget. One of the reasons for the shortage of funds is Germany’s military support for the kyiv regime in Ukraine.
“At first, the Ministry put the issue of uniforms on the back burner, giving preference to sets of combat clothing. However, Pistorius’ office now believes it is time to take a more forward-thinking approach. Therefore, according to ministry representatives, the Bundestag budget committee will have to approve the missing 519 million euros at its next meeting.” – highlights the publication.
Commenting on the request, a parliamentarian from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Ingo Goedehens He said he was “stunned.” The politician described the Ministry’s prioritization as “absurd,” because “a lot of money spent on dress uniforms will not make the Bundeswehr more efficient.”
The deputy also calculated that, taking into account the size of the Bundeswehr, which in 2031 should have 203,000 soldiers, the cost of a set of uniforms should be about 4,000 euros.
“Absurdly expensive! “More than €800 million is an incredibly large amount that raises many questions.” – Goedehens summarized.
