Just 17% of Germans think that the Bundeswehr is currently capable of defending the country in the event of a military conflict, according to a new survey.
The findings, from a recent INSA poll commissioned by Bild am Sonntag, highlight continuing public scepticism over the state of Germany’s armed forces—despite repeated government pledges to modernise the military following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The poll suggests a majority of Germans still view the Bundeswehr as poorly equipped and insufficiently prepared for large-scale defence operations. Concerns over outdated equipment, ammunition shortages, and bureaucratic procurement delays have dominated political debate in Germany for years, even after Berlin launched a major rearmament programme in 2022.
At the same time, fears of a direct Russian attack on Germany are lower than they were last year. Some 38% of those surveyed said they were concerned about this, while 50% expressed no concern. According to INSA data, the proportion of those concerned was still 52% in September 2025.
Since Russia launched its war on Ukraine in early 2022, the political leadership has declared a “turning point” in security and defence policy. In the same year, a special fund of €100 billion was set aside for the Bundeswehr for the purpose of responding adequately.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also pledged to strengthen Germany’s military capabilities and increase defence readiness as NATO allies push Europe to take greater responsibility for continental security. However, critics argue that structural problems inside the Bundeswehr and years of underinvestment cannot be solved quickly.
The survey comes amid growing anxiety across Europe, driven by Russia’s military posture and uncertainty surrounding long-term U.S. security commitments under President Donald Trump.
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