Today, the German government presented its “National Security Strategy,” which will guide policy in this legislative period. It was a difficult road to this belated publication and the result now presented shows that the inclusion of more and more actors did not necessarily improve the clarity of the document. For example, it reads, “In this international situation, China is a partner, competitor, and systemic rival.” This phrase can be used to unify any China policy in the future, from cooperation to sanctions. There remains an arbitrariness that is not absorbed when it reads, “We see that in this context the elements of rivalry and competition have increased in recent years; at the same time, however, China remains a partner without whom many of the most pressing global challenges cannot be solved.” China, he said, is increasingly putting pressure on international security and disregarding human rights. “China is using its economic power selectively to achieve political goals,” the National Security Strategy said, before continuing directly, “At the same time, China remains a partner without which many global challenges and crises cannot be solved. It is therefore in these fields in particular that we must take advantage of the possibilities and opportunities for cooperation.”
However, it becomes more concrete in the chapter that was probably prepared by the BMVg. Here, the National Security Strategy clearly commits itself to nuclear sharing. Within the framework of nuclear sharing, Germany will “continue to make its contribution and provide the necessary carrier aircraft without interruption”.
In addition, Germany will not only provide its support to NATO by expanding its military presence in allied nations, but will also fulfill its tasks as a logistical hub at the center of the alliance. “In particular, the German government will therefore expand national capabilities for logistical support, health care, traffic management capabilities and the protection of allies during their stay in Germany,” the National Security Strategy said. “In addition, we want to work with the states to create the necessary infrastructure and legal framework and strongly support initiatives in the EU and NATO on military mobility.”
The government will provide the financial resources necessary to enable the Bundeswehr for national and alliance defense, according to the commitment in the security strategy: “Initially, also through the newly created Bundeswehr Special Fund, we will make our two percent GDP contribution to the NATO capability goals on a multi-year average.” Whereby the procurements are not intended to strengthen the German, but rather the “European security and defense industrial base.” “This includes the protection of key technologies at the national and European level,” he said. The German government is committed to harmonizing military capability requirements with partners and allies.” Capability gaps are to be closed primarily through European solutions, but only if this can be done without sacrificing capabilities, he said. After all, the National Security Strategy emphasizes, “The decisive criterion remains closing capability gaps quickly.”
Dorothee Frank, Head of editorial team