German army to maintain Indo-Pacific security role despite US focus on Russia

German Defense Minister Casten Reuer said, “The German army will continue to play a role in Indo-Pacific security,” despite the US calling on European countries to focus more on the “threat from Russia.”

During an interview with Bloomberg at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore, Breuer argued that Germany’s interests were to support the “rules-based international order” and protect “freedom of navigation” in the Asia-Pacific region.

Germany, along with other European countries, is building stronger defense relations in Asia and sending warships to the region, such as the German frigate Bayern, which visited Japan and other places in 2021.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday that Europe’s top priority should remain its own region, especially due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Hegseth stated that the US would focus on addressing the threat from China.

Hegseth also urged Asian countries to follow Europe’s lead in increasing defense spending. Hegseth recalled that NATO members, including Germany, have pledged to allocate 5% of their gross domestic product to defense.

Breuer said that Russia is the main threat pushing Germany and other countries to increase their military budgets. According to him, the focus is not just on meeting spending targets but on developing the right capabilities.

The German minister stated, “The areas where we need to accelerate are, of course, air defense, main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and ammunition supply.”

Arguing that China’s global role, including its ties with Russia, makes it difficult to address global threats separately, Breuer remarked, “It is necessary to be aware of the effects spreading from Europe to Asia and vice versa.”

Breuer announced his government is preparing a 4 billion euro support package for Ukraine to better defend itself, adding, “This is to ensure that Ukraine can sustain itself in the future by strengthening its defense industry.”