On Wednesday, the German Cabinet of Ministers approved a project to increase the military budget for 2024.

The official website of the German federal government reported on this.

The German government approved a project to increase the military budget by €1.7 billion. The country’s defense budget for 2024 is €51.8 billion.

Germany aims to achieve a spending level of 2% of gross domestic product. This indicator is desirable among NATO countries, but has been unattainable for Germany for a long time.

The country created a special fund to modernize the military due to the invasion of Russia on the territory of Ukraine. It amounts to more than €100 billion and is designed to be used within the first ten years.

Germany started modernizing its military in 2021. The main direction is to update soldiers’ equipment, modernize old and produce new equipment, strengthen air defense, and create new means of countering modern threats.

This year, the country signed several contracts for new air defense systems.

In June 2022, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and the weapon manufacturer Diehl Defense signed a corresponding contract for six IRIS-T air defense systems.

The German government also approved an advance payment to purchase Israel’s Arrow 3 exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missile defence system.

The budget committee in the lower house of the parliament approved an advance payment of €560 million. This money is intended to organize production in Israel.

Improving logistics capabilities is also a priority area in the army modernization program.

The Bundeswehr will receive an additional 367 protected and unprotected logistic vehicles.