‘We must be ready to fight’: Germany army chief warns of rising Russia threat
Germany must be fully prepared for a potential Russian attack by 2029, or possibly even sooner, according to the country's top army commander, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding. The warning comes as NATO members increasingly assess the long-term security risks posed by Russia despite its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking at the ILA aerospace exhibition in Berlin, Freuding stressed the need for urgent military preparedness. “We have to be prepared. We must be ready to fight,” he said, emphasizing that Germany and its allies cannot afford to delay strengthening their defenses.
According to Freuding, there is broad agreement among all 32 NATO member states that Russia could develop the capability to launch an attack against a NATO country by 2029. He noted that this assessment is based on NATO intelligence rather than a timeline created solely by Germany.
The general also warned that Moscow could act earlier than expected. Despite suffering heavy losses in Ukraine, including significant casualties and equipment destruction, Russia remains a major security concern for European defense planners. Officials fear that Russia could rebuild enough military strength within the coming years to pose a direct threat to NATO territory.
The growing concern has intensified efforts across Europe to improve military readiness, increase weapons production, and strengthen defense capabilities. Freuding said Germany has already taken important steps to accelerate military procurement and expand industrial production capacity.
However, he cautioned that long-term weapons development programs alone will not be enough to meet immediate security needs. Germany must also invest in temporary or intermediate solutions to close capability gaps and ensure its armed forces remain combat-ready in the near term.
“Speed is of the essence now,” Freuding said. He added that the German military, known as the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces), must improve its ability to respond immediately to any threat. The goal is to maintain a high state of readiness capable of deterring potential Russian aggression and defending NATO territory if necessary.