Germany Prepares Europe's Most Powerful Conventional Army with a Record Defense Budget Surpassing France.

In 2026, Germany will cross a historic threshold in military spending following the federal cabinet’s approval of the national budget on July 30, 2025, as reported by Reuters. Backed by the governing coalition led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the German federal government aims to fundamentally overhaul its defense policy, with the stated objective of establishing a leading conventional force on the European continent. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

In early July, Bloomberg reported that Berlin was considering ordering 1,000 Leopard 2A8 tanks (or Leopard 3) and 2,500 Boxer wheeled armored vehicles (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This ambition is made possible by the suspension, in March, of the “debt brake” , an exceptional fiscal measure that now allows for a significant increase in investment capacity for the Bundeswehr. The long-term target is to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2029, representing approximately €153 billion. This trajectory reflects both Germany’s reinforced commitment to its NATO obligations and a notable departure from its previous strategic posture. Starting in 2026, the total defense budget will amount to €108.2 billion, of which €82.7 billion will come from the regular defense budget and €25.5 billion from the Bundeswehr’s Special Fund.

In comparison, France’s defense budget for 2026 is set to reach €57.2 billion, up €6.7 billion from the previous year. Although France is on track to reach €64 billion in 2027, two years earlier than initially planned under the 2024–2030 Military Programming Law, the gap with Germany remains significant. It is further accentuated by the fact that France alone bears the financial burden of nuclear deterrence, which is not the case for Germany.

This upward budget trajectory is accompanied by a series of procurement plans. While some announcements, such as a potential additional purchase of F-35A fighter jets, have been officially denied, others have been confirmed. Germany’s Ministry of Defense has validated the acquisition of Typhon launchers from the United States to reinforce its long-range strike capabilities.

Armor programs also feature prominently. In early July, Bloomberg reported that Berlin was considering ordering 1,000 Leopard 2A8 tanks (or Leopard 3) and 2,500 Boxer wheeled armored vehicles. Those figures have since been revised upwards: Germany is now said to be planning to acquire 3,500 Boxer vehicles, and to replace its Fuchs troop transports with 5,000 Patria 6×6 vehicles as part of the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) program launched by Finland and Latvia in 2020. An additional order of 20 Eurofighter EF2000 aircraft, announced in June 2024 by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is also on the agenda.

The Leopard 2A8 is the latest upgraded version of Germany’s main battle tank, developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall. As a direct evolution of the Leopard 2A7, it features next-generation multilayered armor and integrates the EuroTrophy active protection system. Its 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun can fire programmable munitions such as the DM11, suitable for a variety of targets. Equipped with advanced fire control systems, thermal optics, and a 1,600-horsepower engine, the Leopard 2A8 reaches a top speed of 70 km/h and has a range of 450 km, while maintaining high standards of mobility and protection for mechanized operations.

The Boxer is a modular 8×8 multirole armored vehicle designed by the German-Dutch consortium ARTEC GmbH under OCCAR supervision. Its modular architecture enables adaptation to various mission profiles, including troop transport, medical evacuation, command post, and mortar carrier roles. It provides advanced protection against mines, IEDs, and ballistic threats. The vehicle is powered by a high-performance engine, offers a 1,000 km range, and is equipped with independent suspension. It is in service with the armed forces of Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Australia.

The Patria AMV (Armoured Modular Vehicle), developed by Finnish defense manufacturer Patria, represents a high-end 8×8 alternative selected by Germany under the CAVS framework. Designed for modularity, it can serve as an infantry fighting vehicle, mortar carrier, ambulance, or command post. It offers frontal ballistic protection up to 30 mm and mine resistance up to 10 kg of TNT. The vehicle accommodates up to 11 personnel, features hydropneumatic suspension, and is suited for challenging terrain. It has seen operational deployment in Afghanistan, the Sahel, and with several European armies.

However, reported figures vary by source. According to Reuters, citing two individuals familiar with the matter, the actual orders may amount to 3,000 Boxer vehicles and 3,500 Patria 6x6s. Despite these differences, the scale of the planned procurements reflects a substantial shift in German defense planning.

Personnel is also a central element of this transformation. In 2026, the German Ministry of Defense intends to create 10,000 additional military positions and 2,000 civilian roles, along with 20,000 temporary posts within the framework of a new military service. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has emphasized the importance of investing in personnel to translate technological capabilities into operational force. He noted a rise in applications and recruitment, which the ministry aims to build on in the coming months.

Germany’s combined budgetary, industrial, and human resource choices suggest a redefinition of military balances within Europe. With a defense budget nearly twice that of France and a set of large-scale conventional ambitions, Berlin is breaking with the strategic restraint that characterized its policy since the end of the Cold War. This shift may significantly reshape the power dynamics within the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance by 2026.