Germany plans to strengthen its military independence with a major procurement plan worth up to 83 billion euros.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to build Europe’s strongest conventional force, addressing personnel shortages and upgrading equipment simultaneously.
Officials aim to allocate most contracts to European firms, with only eight percent going to U.S. suppliers.
Between September 2025 and December 2026, Berlin expects to launch 154 defence projects, signaling a shift in strategy.
Transatlantic Dependence Faces Challenges
US exports to Europe tripled from 2020 to 2024, making Washington the top arms supplier to NATO allies.
Germany’s imports rose 334 percent, with 70 percent sourced from the United States, cementing reliance on American systems.
Expert Josef Braml warned that Germany paid “tribute” through weapons purchases, creating structural dependence on U.S. defence.
He argued that Trump’s stance ended the illusion of guaranteed U.S. protection, forcing Europe to change course.
Questions remain over systems like the F-35, with concerns about hidden controls, though officials deny a remote “kill switch.”
Still, Germany insists on keeping its order for the fighter, citing unmatched stealth features unavailable in European designs.
Europe Seeks Strategic Autonomy
Researcher Pieter Wezeman noted that Europe already strengthens its own defence industry, despite long-standing U.S. ties.
Braml emphasized that sovereignty requires self-protection and warned that reliance leaves Europe open to manipulation and pressure.
Trump’s “America First” agenda demanded NATO allies raise spending to five percent and prioritize U.S. weapons purchases.
Merz admitted Germany will remain tied to Washington but insisted Europe must build its own independent security capacity.
US firms filed nearly 18,000 defence patents between 2015 and 2021, outpacing all EU nations combined.
Braml concluded: “Security is gone, Pax Americana is dead.” Germany must assume responsibility for its defence immediately.
