The problems surround the transformation of their defence posture to allow the Helsinki commitment to be met alongside Nato and other obligations. The big European players have the men, as the chart shows. The problem is their quality, how they are armed, moved and supplied. The German Social Democrat - Green coalition pledged to cut defence. But defence minister Rudolf Scharping admitted to SPD members of the Bundestag that Germany's armed forces are not capable of serving Nato nor Europe in their present state.
German forces are, as a result, badly equipped.
But many are conscripts who do not fight. On June 21 the German cabinet is due to cut the defence budget of DM45.3bn to 43.7bn by 2003. Scharping now has its plan, for a cut in strength from 463,000 to 320,000. Military conscription would be kept, but only for 30,000 draftees, selected by lottery. Tampering with the balance of forces is not just a technical decision.