ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the state of the defence sector in Germany prior to 2014 and the development under way since then, with a particular focus on deterrence. It focuses solely on the Russian threat; it does not take into consideration other dimensions, such as the fight against so called Islamic State. The relearning of collective defence and the subsequent reform of the defence policy coincided with a general change of mind in Germany. While Germany did and does not shy away from exercising leadership in European politics, think of the euro, it refrained so far from doing so in the security and defence realm. Germany's defence sector has been in a constant decline since the end of the Cold War with ever-smaller quantities of equipment, and most importantly with less and less acceptance that defence is something the country has to care about. Still, Germany is missing a sophisticated debate and understanding let alone conception of deterrence.
