Germany's cabinet approved a draft law on Wednesday to accelerate weapons procurement for its military, the Bundeswehr. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called it a "quantum leap" for national security, aiming to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and enable faster purchases. The bill cites Russia as the most immediate threat and emphasizes the need to bolster NATO defense capabilities. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche stated the changes will provide arms producers with planning certainty and facilitate increased production, necessitated by Germany's significant new defense debt. The proposed legislation increases contract value limits, allowing for faster direct awards rather than lengthy tender processes. The current limit of €15,000 will increase to €50,000 for general contracts and €443,000 for those bolstering defense capabilities. The construction threshold will rise to €1 million. The government also plans to facilitate cooperation with defense technology start-ups through advance payments.

The accelerated procurement has drawn criticism. The Green Party deemed the plans inadequate, highlighting the need for increased production capacity and solutions to supply chain issues. The Left Party accused the coalition of prioritizing "war preparation" and warned of potential wasteful spending and corruption due to relaxed contract standards. Concerns were also raised by the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts regarding fair competition and the participation of small businesses.

Impact Statement: The accelerated arms procurement process could significantly enhance Germany's military readiness but raises concerns about potential corruption and unfair awarding of contracts.