Germany drafts bill to fast-track arms procurement amid European arms race

Berlin is preparing a new bill to accelerate arms purchases and prioritize domestic weapons production, aiming to respond swiftly to growing security threats triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war.

The German government is drafting legislation to streamline and speed up its arms procurement process as part of a broader effort to modernize its military in response to escalating tensions in Europe, local media reported on Tuesday.

The proposed bill would exempt new arms contracts from standard EU tendering procedures until 2030, specifically waiving certain environmental regulations and allowing projects to proceed despite pending legal complaints.

The draft law also emphasizes support for domestic production of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment, with the goal of boosting Germany’s defence capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

If passed, the legislation would remain in effect for a decade and is expected to be submitted to parliament for a vote in July.

The move comes amid an intensified arms race in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led Germany to make an historic shift in its defence policy. 

More recently, in March, Germany’s parliament approved a €500 billion special fund for infrastructure and climate, while voting to exclude future defence spending from the country’s constitutional “debt brake” – a move that signals Berlin’s long-term commitment to bolstering national security.

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