German parliament approves faster arms procurement rules

Germany’s parliament on Thursday passed legislation aimed at speeding up and simplifying the procurement of armaments for the armed forces.

The amendment was passed by the Bundestag on Thursday with the votes of the government parties – the conservative CDU/CSU and the centre-left SPD. The far-right AfD also voted for the measure.

As a result, defence contracts will be awarded much more frequently than before without lengthy tendering procedures. The reform will significantly raise the limits up to which such direct awards are permissible.

SPD lawmaker Mahmut Özdemir said the changes mark a departure from procurement rules designed for times of peace, arguing they are necessary to strengthen Germany’s defence capabilities amid heightened international tensions.

The Greens and the Left party voted against the bill.

Germany relaxed it debt rules last year in order to enable more spending on the Bundeswehr.

In addition, NATO members have set themselves the goal of investing 5% of gross domestic product in defence and security annually by 2035 at the latest.