Germany's Military Chief Calls for Rethinking Global Commitments and Strengthening Defence
Germany's Armed Forces Commissioner, Henning Otte, has urged a shift in the country's military priorities. He is pushing for a stronger focus on national and alliance defence while calling for caution in overseas commitments. He is pushing for a stronger focus on national and alliance defence while calling for caution in overseas commitments. His recommendations come as Germany maintains troops in 17 missions worldwide.
Otte highlighted the need for a 'whole-of-government' approach to total defence and civilian preparedness. He warned against rushing the reintroduced military service, stressing that recruitment and infrastructure must come first.
His comments also addressed Germany's overseas deployments, which involve over 2,000 soldiers across three continents. Around 300 troops were stationed in Iraq in 2025, mainly in Erbil and Jordan. However, non-essential personnel were evacuated from Erbil in early 2026 due to rising tensions with Iran. Otte described the withdrawal as 'food for thought' after the Bundestag extended the mission's mandate.
On other missions, Otte suggested reassessing Germany's role in South Sudan, proposing a strategic presence without local force training. He also advised restraint in committing to potential peacekeeping in Ukraine, emphasising shared responsibility among allies. His warnings extend to avoiding overstretch, urging a review of individual mission mandates.
Otte's proposals aim to refocus Germany's military on core defence tasks while carefully managing existing overseas operations. The evacuation from Iraq and ongoing debates on Ukraine and South Sudan reflect broader concerns about balancing commitments. His call for preparation and restraint signals a potential shift in Germany's defence strategy.
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