Military Affairs Technology and Innovations

Defence Procurement: When Political Will Needs Pairing With Legislative Changes

Viliam Ostatník
Download the Long read via link: Defence Procurement: When Political Will Needs Pairing With Legislative Changes – Viliam Ostatník

Don't forget to watch quite an interesting debate on this topic with Commander Göran Swistek, M.A., Visiting Fellow, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik) and Viliam Ostatník, our Visiting fellow here on our YT channel Adapt Institute: https://youtu.be/iymQPGtpxF0

More than a year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine and after Germany announced Zeitenwende, the German armed forces remain in no better condition. This can serve as a symbol and a warning sign for the whole of the EU and its (future) defence capabilities. The reality shows that the procurement process in Germany is slow and over-bureaucratized. Although the German government has passed a new law regulating procurement, it provides only a temporary solution (and has yet to deliver concrete results). Some practical inspiration for the German government (and, perhaps, other EU Member States) can come from the US, as well as from the functioning of certain EU technology clusters (namely in Eindhoven). The US Congress established an independent commission in 2022, which aims at overhauling the procurement system, reflecting on the new and changing security environment. Bundestag could contemplate a similar move. There is also a practice of advanced (partial) payments in defence contracts exemplified by the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin during the Covid-related crisis in 2020-2021. Such practice could help maintain the whole ecosystem of suppliers and thus help the national (and EU) economy, as opposed to the German practice of making payments strictly after the product or service is fully delivered. This analysis thus addresses the ineffective and fragmented German (and, with it, the European) defence industry as well as provides specific ideas and examples for inspiration, with an overall aim of overhauling the defence procurement process so it reflects the current reality of the international security environment.

Download the Long read via link: Defence Procurement: When Political Will Needs Pairing With Legislative Changes – Viliam Ostatník

Don't forget to watch quite an interesting debate on this topic with Commander Göran Swistek, M.A., Visiting Fellow, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik) and Viliam Ostatník, our Visiting fellow here on our YT channel Adapt Institute: https://youtu.be/iymQPGtpxF0

Photo credit: Canva.com

The Latest