Germany ramps up rearmament to build Europe's largest conventional military
Germany is accelerating its military build-up, aiming to field Europe's largest conventional force by the early 2030s. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to meet a 3.5 percent NATO spending target agreed at The Hague, requiring a constitutional change to allow increased borrowing. Around 4,800 troops will be permanently stationed in Lithuania by next year. Opposition party Die Linke warns the rearmament drive risks triggering a dangerous spiral but remains a minority voice in parliament.
Al Jazeera's Dominic Kane reports from Berlin, Germany.
Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile
#Germany #SteadfastDart2026 #Quadriga2026 #Bundeswehr #GermanRearmament #FriedrichMerz #NatoEasternFlank #LithuaniaDeployment #NatoForceIntegration #EuropeanDefence