The German Ministry of Defense is facing a deficit of six billion euros, the minister has warned

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has warned that the 2025 budget shortfall could leave the country's armed forces severely short of funds.

Pistorius told dpa on Tuesday that the German military, or Bundeswehr, needs an estimated €58 billion ($63 billion) by 2025 to quickly fill existing vacancies. “As things stand, we will be allocated approximately €52 billion,” he said.

“That means we will have a deficit of about six billion euros next year,” added the minister.

Speaking amid tense talks between Germany's coalition partners over the country's budget, Pistorius urged the government to face up to its responsibilities and agree on adequate funding for national defence.

The minister said he understands that the range of tasks facing the government is incredibly large.

“However, I feel that some players do not know the seriousness of the situation or believe that they can overcome these big challenges through tactical games,” he said.

Due to the funding gap, about 100 Bundeswehr projects cannot be carried out and equipment purchases will be postponed, he said.

According to the minister, this concerns the next installment of the Puma military combat vehicle, the urgently needed ammunition and the development of long-range precision weapons.

Pistorius said that thanks to a special fund of 100 billion euros for the Bundeswehr, “an unusually large number of projects were launched with unusual speed.”

However, after 30 years of neglect, the Bundeswehr's equipment is far from complete, he said.

“We are now at a critical point,” he added, warning that war gaps are widening and despite growing threats.

“History is looking over our shoulders,” he said, adding that existing security threats should not be underestimated.

Pistorius said that while they were conducting disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks and spying on critical infrastructure, Russia was rearming and would soon have 1.5 million soldiers.

Moscow has moved to a military economy and invests at least 6% in weapons and defense, the minister said.

“The Russian industry produces more weapons and ammunition in three months than the entire European Union in a year. And we have to expect that Putin is willing and ready to use his military … That is the reality we are facing,” Pistorius. said.