In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, German Chief of Defense General Carsten Breuer and UK Chief of the Defense Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton warned that Russian rearmament, troop buildup, and political developments point toward a potential confrontation with NATO before the end of the decade.
“The various indicators all point to one date: 2029. Could it happen sooner? Yes,” Breuer said.
Both commanders highlighted the 2024 Trinity House Agreement between Germany and the UK as a key step toward closer military cooperation. They pointed to joint Baltic air patrols and NATO maritime operations as proof their forces are already capable of operating together.
Breuer also confirmed that the deployment of a U.S. long-range fires battalion to Germany—planned during the Biden administration—is unlikely to proceed. Berlin will pursue purchasing other systems and capabilities.
Breuer was at the Pentagon for this purpose the week before last. At the end of May, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will travel to Washington to continue promoting the purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles.