Germany is preparing to place multi-billion-euro orders for 20 Eurofighter jets, up to 3,000 Boxer armored vehicles, and as many as 3,500 Patria infantry fighting vehicles, Reuters reported on July 29. The move aligns with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s goal to build Europe’s most powerful conventional army as geopolitical tensions rise and trust in US partnership wanes.
The expansion follows parliamentary approval earlier this year to bypass Germany’s constitutional debt limits for defense spending. With this legal green light, Berlin can now fund an ambitious military overhaul without breaching fiscal rules.
Germany’s regular defense budget is expected to climb to €83 billion (US$95.8 billion) by 2026 (€20 billion, or $22 billion, more than in 2025), marking a significant shift in its postwar military policy.
This gallery looks into the European countries with the strongest militaries, highlighting their readiness to navigate these growing geopolitical challenges. Click on for the top 30.