Military exercise in Munich: Are we threatened with the last summer of peace?

Military exercise in Munich: Are we threatened with the last summer of peace?

Military activities and rearmament are increasingly determining the news situation in Germany. Military exercises are currently taking place on the grounds of the Technical University of Munich, while the Cologne-Merheim Clinic is preparing plans for an intensive care unit in a twelve-story underground car park in the event of war. Such developments are seen by many as a sign of mental preparation for war.

Week after week in Germany there is a discussion about the meaning of dying for the “fatherland”. Military historian Sönke Neitzel warns that this summer may be the last in peace. In addition, the first trade union conference for peace organized by the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung and IG Metall is taking place in Salzgitter-Peine, where the focus is on the discussion about arms investments and their economic sense.

Armament investments in focus

Dierk Hirschel, Verdi's chief economist, has sharply criticized the widespread claim that defense investments promote growth. He described military spending as “dead capital” and compared the multipliers of defense spending, infrastructure and education. While there is only a multiplier of 0.5 for defense spending, this is 1.5 for infrastructure and even 3 for education. These figures shed new light on the financing of military spending, which is often done through debt and not through taxes, which leads to a higher financial burden on society.

The Union is demanding debt repayment, which is putting pressure on the financing of the welfare state. In this context, the financing needs of the welfare state are growing, while the scope for other investments is decreasing. A central point in the public discussion is the threat from Russia. However, Ingar Solty, consultant for peace and security policy, contradicts the assessment of an imminent Russian attack on NATO countries and emphasizes that Russia has other goals in Ukraine.

Global arms increases

A look at the global situation shows an alarming trend. According to SIPRI, military spending rose to over $2.7 trillion in 2024, up 9.4% year-on-year. This marks the highest increase since the end of the Cold War. Germany has moved up from 7th place to 4th place in the ranking of countries that spend on military, behind the USA, China and Russia. The German spending is partly due to a special fund for the Bundeswehr worth 100 billion euros.

What is particularly noteworthy is that many European countries, especially those close to Russia, are significantly increasing their military budgets. In contrast to these countries, Malta remains an exception in increasing armaments. While Russia increased its military spending by over 30%, Ukraine was only able to increase its military spending by 2%. Around 100 countries worldwide have increased their defense spending, which is having a noticeable impact on other sectors, such as development aid in Great Britain.

Current developments indicate that a trend reversal is not foreseeable. Many countries are planning to further increase their military spending, which is worrying not only for peace but also for a worthwhile life in the future. Peace is increasingly portrayed as a common interest for all, while war is seen as a threat to well-being. This context raises the question of what realistic solutions there are for securing peace in a time of military buildup.

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