Country profile · SD Strength Index
Germany Military Strength 2026
Score by area
| Air power | 22 | |
| Missiles & strike | 7 | |
| Air & missile defence | 31 | |
| Sea power | 27 | |
| Land forces | 22 | |
| Manpower | 39 | |
| Budget & industry | 40 |
Armed forces in 2026
Key figures
As of 2026-10| Defence budget | 118–130 $bn | A |
| Share of GDP | 2.7 % | B |
| Active personnel | 186.7k | A |
| Reserves | 70k–80k | C |
| Combat aircraft | 210–235 | B |
| Fifth-generation fighters | 0–1 | A |
| Attack helicopters | 45–55 | C |
| All military aircraft | 550–650 | C |
| Main battle tanks | 290–330 | C |
| Aircraft carriers | 0 | A |
| Destroyers | 0 | A |
| Frigates | 11 | A |
| Submarines | 6 | A |
| Longest missile range | 500 km | B |
| Long-range air-defence batteries | 9–12 | C |
| Nuclear warheads | 0 | A |
A confirmed B strong estimate C estimated range
Main equipment
| Equipment | Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Eurofighter Typhoon | 135–140 | B |
| Tornado IDS/ECR | 80–90 | C |
| F-35A | 0–1 | A |
| Leopard 2 (A5/A6/A7) | 290–330 | C |
| Leopard 2A8 | 0–10 | C |
| Puma IFV | 350–400 | C |
| PzH 2000 | 100–130 | C |
| Patriot | 7–9 | C |
| Arrow 3 | 1 | A |
| IRIS-T SLM | 1–6 | C |
| Skyranger 30 (Boxer) | 1–19 | C |
| Type 212A | 6 | A |
| F123/F124/F125 frigates | 11 | B |
| K130 Braunschweig | 8–10 | B |
How strong is the German military in 2026?
The Bundeswehr had about 186,700 active personnel at the end of July 2026, its highest figure since 2013. The reserve is small, an estimated 60,000 to 80,000. On the Silent Dossier index Germany sits behind Russia, France and Britain in Europe, and also behind Turkey among NATO members, but ahead of Ukraine, Italy and Poland.
Germany has given heavily to Ukraine since 2022: five Patriot units, PzH 2000 howitzers, Leopard 2A6 tanks and IRIS-T launchers. It has no nuclear weapons of its own and no ballistic missiles. Its longest reach is the Taurus cruise missile, at about 500 km. Germany does host American B61 bombs under NATO nuclear sharing. Most replacements for what it gave away arrive between 2026 and 2030.
How much does Germany spend on defence in 2026?
The 2026 budget law, in force since January, gives the armed forces €108.2bn: €82.7bn from the regular budget and €25.5bn from the special fund. Counted the NATO way, Silent Dossier estimates total spending at about $147bn. Core defence has risen to an estimated 2.69 per cent of GDP, up from 2.22 per cent.
Berlin paid for the surge by changing its debt brake in March 2025, so that defence spending above 1 per cent of GDP no longer counts against borrowing limits. The 2027 draft goes further, with €109.7bn plus €29.9bn from the special fund. Ukraine aid takes another €11.5bn this year.
Does Germany have conscription again?
Only in part. The military service law that took effect in January 2026 sends a questionnaire to young people and makes screening compulsory from July 2027. The aim is to grow the active force to 260,000 by 2035 and the reserve to 200,000 by 2033.
That means adding about 73,000 soldiers by 2035. Growth so far is too slow to reach that target.
How many Leopard 2 tanks does Germany have?
Silent Dossier estimates 290 to 330 Leopard 2s in the A5, A6 and A7 versions. Germany has ordered 123 of the new Leopard 2A8, 18 in 2023 and 105 more in 2024, and plans about 75 on top. The first trials vehicles arrived in 2026. Troops get them in 2027, starting with Panzerbrigade 45, the brigade Germany is stationing in Lithuania.
Europe is buying the same tank. Norway, Lithuania, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands have signed for between 44 and 54 each. Alongside it the army fields an estimated 350 to 400 Puma infantry fighting vehicles and 100 to 130 PzH 2000 howitzers, a stock reduced by transfers to Ukraine.
When will Germany get the F-35?
Germany ordered 35 F-35As for $8.8bn in 2022. The first, MG-01, flew in Fort Worth in September 2026. Crews train in the United States first, and the jets are due at Büchel air base from the third quarter of 2027. A further 15 are reportedly planned, but no order has been confirmed.
The F-35 replaces the Tornado, of which an estimated 80 to 90 remain for strike and nuclear sharing. All must leave service by 2030, which leaves a tight handover. The backbone remains some 138 Eurofighters. Germany is taking 38 Tranche 4 jets between 2025 and 2030, and 20 Tranche 5 jets were ordered in October 2025 for €3.75bn.
Germany vs Russia: who is stronger?
Russia, by a wide margin, and it leads on every pillar Silent Dossier scores. Russia has an estimated 1.1 to 1.5 million active troops against Germany's 186,700, and an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 tanks against 290 to 330 Leopards. It also holds about 4,300 nuclear warheads.
Money and air defence are Germany's best pillars. Its first Arrow 3 system went live at Holzdorf in December 2025, alongside Patriot, IRIS-T SLM and Skyranger 30 on Boxer. Only three countries exported more arms from 2021 to 2025. At sea Russia has an estimated 60 submarines; Germany has six Type 212A boats, 11 frigates, eight to ten K130 corvettes and no destroyers. After the F126 frigate was cancelled in June 2026, four MEKO A-200 ships were approved instead.
Combat record and readiness
No major combat since leaving Afghanistan in 2021. Its main operational commitment is Panzerbrigade 45 in Lithuania, due at full readiness in 2027.
Builds Leopard 2A8 tanks, Boxer and Puma vehicles, PzH 2000 howitzers, IRIS-T air defence, submarines and frigates. Rheinmetall is expanding 155mm shell output at Unterluess. Germany is the fourth largest arms exporter in the world.
Transfers to Ukraine of Patriot units, PzH 2000s, Leopard 2A6s and IRIS-T drained stocks, with most replacements due 2026 to 2030. Tornados retire by 2030, before the F-35 is fully ready. Strength reached about 186,700 in July 2026, well short of the 260,000 target.
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Questions readers ask
How strong is Germany's military?
On the Silent Dossier index only Russia, France and Britain are stronger in Europe. It has more money than either France or Britain, but stocks drained by aid to Ukraine and slow deliveries hold it back.
How big is the German army?
The Bundeswehr had about 186,700 active personnel at the end of July 2026, the most since 2013. The reserve is an estimated 60,000 to 80,000, and the government wants 260,000 active troops by 2035.
Is Germany bringing back conscription?
Partly. A law in force since January 2026 sends young people a questionnaire and makes screening compulsory from July 2027, but it does not bring back compulsory service.
How many tanks does Germany have?
Silent Dossier estimates 290 to 330 Leopard 2 tanks. Germany has 123 Leopard 2A8s on order, with the first reaching troops in 2027.
How many F-35 does Germany have?
None in German service yet. Germany has 35 on order, the first flew in the United States in September 2026, and the jets reach Büchel from the third quarter of 2027.
Does Germany have nuclear weapons?
No. Germany hosts American B61 bombs under NATO nuclear sharing, delivered by its Tornado jets until the F-35 takes over.