The German military's protests have won support from NATO Secretary-General George Robertson. You cannot get defense on the cheap, and there can be no real security without adequate resources. Robertson's words were addressed to all 19 NATO members. But they created a particularly strong reaction in Germany, where the military has long protested that it does not get enough equipment and what it has is often in poor shape. Recent press reports suggest there is reason for concern.
Communications is another area where the armed forces are ill-equipped.
During maneuvers, Germany rents satellite space from other countries. The German arms industry says cost-cutting in recent years has forced it to fire thousands of workers. Axel Homburg of the arms company Dynamit Nobel argues that if Finance Minister Eichel persists in his plan to reduce military expenditure, then many important arms sectors will have to close. Germany spends only 1.5 percent of its gross domestic product on defense, far less than other major Western nations. France spends 2.8 percent, Britain 2.6 percent and the U.S. 3.2 percent.