Christian E. Rieck contributes to Workshop by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung on the Future of the Bundeswehr

The annual workshop on the future of the Bundeswehr is organized by the security team of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and brings together German defence experts from the defence ministry, the Chancellory, the armed forces, the Bundestag, federal agencies as well as NATO and EU. It took place in Cadenabbia on Lake Como from May 25-27 2025.  

From procurement to personnel development, from the future of warfare to the strategic debate about the military needs in the four domains, the workshop discussed the role the new German government should play in the Alliance and the Union. More money alone will not solve all of the Bundeswehr‘s woes, so there is a pronounced need for sustained political leadership on defence matters to bring the many ongoing reforms to fruition fast. Some saw a real possibility for a military attack on Poland in the next few years, once the war in Ukraine dies down after an armistice is implemented. Not much time to improve deterrence.