German government admits Bundeswehr repair backlog and spare parts shortages
The German government acknowledged on Friday that the Bundeswehr faces significant repair backlogs and spare parts shortages, but said NATO commitments are not at risk. A defense ministry spokesman cited weapons deliveries to Ukraine and a sharp increase in military exercises as contributing factors. The admission follows a media report citing an internal document from the ministry-owned maintenance firm HIL that described chaotic planning and warned of threats to combat readiness.
The German government on Friday acknowledged repair backlogs and spare parts shortages affecting the Bundeswehr, but said NATO commitments are not at risk. A defense ministry spokesman in Berlin said the fulfillment of alliance obligations is not endangered. The spokesman said the 'operational readiness of major weapons systems' is 'moving in the right direction' but there are areas 'with challenges'.
Difficulties arise from weapons deliveries to Ukraine and a significantly increased number of military exercises, the spokesman said. The admission follows a media report by WDR, NDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung based on an internal situation report from a Bundeswehr service provider. The internal report is from Heeresinstandsetzungslogistik GmbH (HIL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the defense ministry based in Bonn, which is responsible nationwide for maintaining land-based military equipment such as tanks and howitzers.
The internal report speaks of chaotic planning by the ministry and an acute shortage of spare parts. It warns of a 'restriction of the material operational readiness of essential weapons systems', according to the media report. In May, less than half of the total stock of Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers were operational. Nearly half of the Marder infantry fighting vehicles and Boxer wheeled armored vehicles were stuck in the maintenance and repair loop in May.
The defense ministry did not confirm the figures from the report and declined to comment on parts of it. A defense ministry spokeswoman told AFP that 'the structures and capacities for this maintenance effort' at HIL are 'fundamentally available'. The spokeswoman said the ministry is working with HIL to 'quickly improve technical operational readiness again, even after intensive exercises'. For newly procured weapons systems, initial spare parts supply for the first three to five years is secured, and HIL has 'no direct responsibility' for that. The spokeswoman added that industry 'cannot always deliver the required spare parts on time'.