The Defense Ministry couldn\u2019t say how many of the deals have been implemented, according to the outlet<\/p>\n
Germany has signed \u20ac111 billion ($130 billion) worth of weapons contracts since 2022. However, the Defense Ministry cannot say how many have actually been delivered or put into service, Der Spiegel reports.
\nIn February 2022, then Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict by declaring a \u2018Zeitenwende\u2019 (turning point) and unveiling a \u20ac100 billion plan to modernize the German armed forces by 2028. Berlin has also been a key backer of Kiev, providing the government of Vladimir Zelensky with \u20ac44 billion ($52 billion) in military and financial aid during the conflict with Russia.
\nDer Spiegel reported on Sunday, citing Defense Ministry data, that 47,000 procurement contracts have been signed since Scholz\u2019s declaration. The figure was released in response to an inquiry by a politician from The Left party, Dietmar Bartsch, it added.
\nThe ministry declined to say how many of the contracts had been completed or how much of the equipment had been delivered as of March 1, 2026, the outlet said.
\n\u201cAn automated, centralized evaluation of all procurement projects in line with the request is not possible,\u201d it said in response.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
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Collecting this data manually would be too costly and time-consuming, which \u201ccould lead to delays in defense-related projects,\u201d the ministry claimed.
\nBartsch criticized the response, saying \u201cmore than 47,000 arms contracts in four years, worth around \u20ac111 billion \u2013 that\u2019s over 30 contracts per day.\u201d\u00a0
\nThe fact that the Defense Ministry didn\u2019t release the figures on its own and that it \u201ccan\u2019t even quantify how many projects have actually been completed and put into service is a warning sign,\u201d he argued.
\nThe lack of oversight increases the risk that billions in taxpayer money or loans could be wasted on delayed or unsuitable projects, Bartsch said.
\nGermany has been investing heavily in its military despite the country\u2019s economy continuing to deteriorate. Earlier this week, Economy Minister Katherina Reiche cut the previous growth forecast for this year in half, saying that GDP is expected to rise just 0.5%.
\nEarlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned about the \u201cdanger of EU militarization,\u201d which is happening \u201cvery fast and frenetically.\u201d\u00a0
\n\u201cThe Americans are actively promoting those processes\u201d in order to absolve themselves of the responsibility for the security on the continent and make Europeans bankroll the Ukraine conflict on their own, Lavrov said.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Germans turned into \u2018cash cows\u2019 for Ukraine \u2013 veteran politician<\/p>\n
Moscow has dismissed Western claims that it harbors aggressive intentions against Europe, arguing that EU countries are using the perceived \u2018Russian threat\u2019 to justify rapidly increasing military spending while shifting attention away from domestic problems.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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