Germany has denied a report that it is considering funding British and French nuclear weapons programmes, while saying it is discussing wider cooperation on nuclear deterrence with France and within NATO.
Germany’s military reached 186,700 active soldiers in July, the highest level in 13 years. Applications also rose 26 percent as Berlin expands recruitment and defence spending, leaving its 2026 troop goal now well within reach this year.
Germany has approved €50 billion in new spending to modernise its armed forces. The funds will be used to buy equipment and clothing for soldiers, expand missile defence systems such as Arrow 3 and Patriot, and purchase additional Puma infantry fighting vehicles.
Germany’s armed forces have signed a €1.7 billion contract with Rheinmetall for access to satellite-based reconnaissance data with regular radar images supplied through a partnership with Finnish satellite operator ICEYE.
