German military experts are warning that in the event of an attack on Germany, the country could only defend itself for a few days. Decades of fiscal austerity have left their mark on the country's army, the Bundeswehr, and now Germany's defense budget is a topic of debate ahead of the federal election on February 23, 2025.

How much money does the country need to maintain a well-equipped army? And where will it come from, given the billion-euro gaps in Germany's federal budget?

Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) believes the Bundeswehr is slowly getting back on its feet — thanks to his policies. Immediately after the Russian attack on Ukraine in February 2022, Scholz issued €100 billion ($103.8 bn) in additional funds to the Bundeswehr from a debt-financed special fund.

Scholz says the special fund has been "a great success" and wants to continue the course. On the campaign trail, he has been promising further military investment. However, since some other parties are making the same promise, Scholz is emphasizing that his party would not increase that funding by cutting social benefits.

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