Ambitious framework nation: Germany in NATO: Bundeswehr capability planning and the "Framework Nations Concept"
Journal: Social Science Open Access Repository (GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences)
Year: 2017

Berlin is pursuing ambitious plans for security and defence, with significant potential for the Bundeswehr and European partner militaries. In the long-term, the Bundeswehr could well become Europe's indispensable army, with Germany as a 'framework nation' contributing decisively to NATO's readiness. This will require the future German gov-ernment to accept an unaccustomed politico-military leadership role. It will also be necessary to increase defence spending for the long term.