Germany’s military power is on the rise. This time it must be firmly embedded in Europe | Timothy Garton Ash

As Russian aggression continues and Trump’s US threatens Nato, it is even more vital for a unified defence of the continent As we mark the 81st anniversary of the end of the second world war in Europe this Friday, 8 May, it’s clear that Germany will again soon be the leading European military power. Already next year its defence spending will be as much as that of France and Britain combined – and it is projected to be significantly larger by 2030. The German government’s declared goal is to have the strongest conventional army in Europe. True, France and Britain have nuclear weapons, but that means less money to spend on the rest of defence. The question, particularly on this solemn anniversary, is, how can we ensure that this time the growth of German military power is a positive development for all of Europe?

Timothy Garton Ash As Russian aggression continues and Trump’s US threatens Nato, it is even more vital for a unified defence of the continent As we mark the 81st anniversary of the end of the second world war in Europe this Friday, 8 May, it’s clear that Germany will again soon be the leading European military power. Already next year its defence spending will be as much as that of France and Britain combined – and it is projected to be significantly larger by 2030. The German government’s declared goal is to have the strongest conventional army in Europe. True, France and Britain have nuclear weapons, but that means less money to spend on the rest of defence. The question, particularly on this solemn anniversary, is, how can we ensure that this time the growth of German military power is a positive development for all of Europe?

The second is that the US president, Donald Trump, has now put in question the entire American commitment to the defence of Europe, as manifested through Nato since 1949. Its new military strategy , the first in the history of the Federal Republic, is titled Responsibility for Europe. But “for Europe” is just words. Everyone in Europe (except the British) says that about their national policy. The key areas in which European answers need to be found are the defence industry and our actual war-fighting capabilities.

Defence technology and production are the nerves and muscles of military power. With exquisite Cartesian logic, Paris interprets “European sovereignty” to mean: don’t buy American, British or German – buy French! As for war fighting, the hard reality is that the defence of Europe today depends on the US-led Nato. Explore more on these topics Share Reuse this content As Russian aggression continues and Trump’s US threatens Nato, it is even more vital for a unified defence of the continent As we mark the 81st anniversary of the end of the second world war in Europe this Friday, 8 May, it’s clear that Germany will again soon be the leading European military power. Already next year its defence spending will be as much as that of France and Britain combined – and it is projected to be significantly larger by 2030.

The German government’s declared goal is to have the strongest conventional army in Europe. True, France and Britain have nuclear weapons, but that means less money to spend on the rest of defence. The question, particularly on this solemn anniversary, is, how can we ensure that this time the growth of German military power is a positive development for all of Europe? Germany’s military power is on the rise. This time it must be firmly embedded in Europe | Timothy Garton Ash