German defence spending faces renewed economic critique amid security and political shifts

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius faces renewed criticism over national military investment plans, with Kiel Institute for the World Economy president Moritz Schularick warning that allocated funds focus excessively on legacy systems rather than next-generation technologies. Schularick argued that projected spending through 2030 prioritises conventional assets such as tanks and frigates instead of modernised capabilities.

The critique coincides with heightened domestic focus on airspace security following a suspicious drone incident in Leipzig, where United States intelligence agencies suspect Russian involvement. In response, policymakers are reviewing measures to improve national drone defence. Meanwhile, fresh Deutschlandtrend polling shows the Alternative for Germany widening its lead over the conservative CDU/CSU alliance, accompanied by increasing public openness toward case-by-case parliamentary cooperation.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau