Defense Policy Guidelines
The Defense Policy Guidelines (VPR) are a basic document that the Federal Minister of Defense issues as a binding conceptual basis for German defense policy and the work in his area of responsibility . The VPR lay down principles for the design of defense policy, determine the mandate of the Bundeswehr , weight its tasks and set guidelines for the capabilities of the armed forces of the future. The VPR were developed in the planning staff of the Federal Minister of Defense and serve as a framework for further planning documents such as the Bundeswehr Concept (KdB) or the Bundeswehr plan of the Inspector General.
The current VPR are from 2011; before that, the document was drawn up four times in 1972, 1979, 1992 and 2003. While the VPR was originally drawn up for a period of 10 to 15 years, the VPR 2003 and 2011 emphasize that the VPR will be regularly reviewed and further developed in view of the dynamism of security policy developments.
Another document from the Ministry of Defense on the same topic is the Bundeswehr White Book , which, however, unlike the VPR, has been coordinated with the other ministries and approved by the Federal Government .
VPR 2011
The Defense Policy Guidelines, which were enacted and published on May 18, 2011, are entitled Protecting National Interests - Assuming International Responsibility - Shaping Security Together , are 20 pages long and are divided into ten chapters. They describe the strategic framework for the mandate and tasks of the Bundeswehr and are based on an assessment of the current situation and are intended to form the basis for the so-called realignment of the Bundeswehr , which is not to be derived from financial constraints, but from security policy requirements.
The strategic security environment
The immediate territorial threat to Germany from conventional armed forces is assessed as minor. Rather, risks and threats arise from crumbling and crumbling states , from the effects of international terrorism , terrorist and dictatorial regimes, upheavals when they break up, criminal networks , from climate and environmental catastrophes, migration developments , from shortages or bottlenecks in the supply of natural resources Resources and raw materials , from diseases and epidemics as well as from possible threats to critical infrastructures such as information technology . [...] German security interests arise from our history , the geographical location in the middle of Europe , the international political and economic interdependencies of the country and the dependence on resources as a high-tech location and export nation with few raw materials .
Values, goals and interests
Germany pursues a value-oriented foreign and security policy. On the basis of a sense of responsibility that grows from its position as a strong nation in the middle of Europe, Germany wants to advocate the principles of the free-democratic basic order and the principles of international law as well as the more abstract goal of a better and safer world .
The security and protection of the citizens of Germany; the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Germany and its allies as well as the exercise of international responsibility. According to the VPR, German security interests include preventing, preventively containing and dealing with crises and conflicts that impair the security of Germany and its allies; to represent and implement foreign and security policy positions in a sustainable and credible manner; the transatlantic strengthen and European security and partnership; to stand up for the international validity of human rights and democratic principles, to promote worldwide respect for international law and to reduce the gap between poor and rich regions of the world, and to enable free and unhindered world trade and free access to the high seas and natural resources.
Germany's responsibility in Europe and the world as well as the mission and tasks of the Bundeswehr
The VPR make a commitment to the expanded security concept . It is said that the scope of the means of safeguarding interests includes political, diplomatic , economic , development policy , police , humanitarian, social and military measures. The guidelines are also committed to multilateralism . Cooperation with the United Nations , NATO and the EU is explicitly mentioned. In principle, deployments should be multilateral. The only exception are the evacuation and rescue operations of German citizens in distress abroad, which generally take place under national responsibility. With regard to the tasks and capabilities of the Bundeswehr, the necessity of the existence of national armed forces is emphasized as an indispensable instrument of foreign and security policy, as the basis of the will to assert oneself and the readiness to defend itself. The Bundeswehr should be geared towards various types of missions across the entire spectrum of intensity and should enable Germany to make a contribution that is politically and militarily appropriate to its size .
The Bundeswehr's mandate is to protect Germany and its citizens, secure Germany's ability to act in foreign policy, contribute to the defense of its allies, contribute to stability and partnership in an international context, and promote multinational cooperation and European integration.
Derived from this, the Bundeswehr's tasks are national defense as an alliance defense within the framework of the North Atlantic Alliance ; international conflict prevention and crisis management - including the fight against international terrorism; participation in military tasks within the framework of the EU's common security and defense policy; the contributions to homeland security , d. H. Defense tasks on German territory , as well as administrative assistance in cases of natural disasters and serious accidents, to protect critical infrastructure and in the event of an internal emergency ; Rescue, evacuation and hostage rescue abroad; Partnership and cooperation as part of a multinational integration and global security cooperation in the understanding of modern defense diplomacy, as well as humanitarian aid abroad.
Bundeswehr capabilities
The Bundeswehr must be able to take on leadership responsibility. In addition, the ability to fight as the standard for operational readiness is emphasized. Instead of the previous 7,000, 10,000 soldiers are to be available for international missions at the same time. The aim is to analyze which skills are indispensable nationally, which skills can be bundled with partners, and where partial skills can be dispensed with (keyword: role and task sharing with European partners). In principle, the Bundeswehr should have a broad and flexible range of capabilities. Ongoing missions such as ISAF in Afghanistan can provide orientation, but are not intended to determine skills. The development of a prioritized capability profile for the Bundeswehr was announced in the VPR. This should be based on how likely certain skills are needed, but also on financial feasibility.
staff
In the VPR 2011 it is now also stated that the basic military service is no longer necessary in terms of security policy. This omitted recruiting element and the demographic change make recruiting more difficult. The reservists are described as an indispensable and in future an even more important part of the Bundeswehr. They represent a link between the armed forces and society and can also be used to attract young people.
material
The reorganization of procurement is announced. It must be possible to react better to short-term needs. Fast, market-available equipment solutions are generally preferable to expensive and lengthy gold-edge solutions. The aim is to procure what is necessary and affordable, and not what one would like to have or what is offered. Even if the importance of the national defense technology industry is emphasized, solutions will increasingly be sought in the European network in the future.
The Bundeswehr's self-image
In the last chapter of the VPR, a commitment is made to the principle of inner guidance and the model of the citizen in uniform , to the primacy of politics , but also to the maintenance of traditions that are worth preserving . Today's soldier must have knowledge of ethics, history and politics, as well as social and intercultural competence . The Bundeswehr should promote a broad understanding of security policy in society.