Germany sharply increases soldier numbers in NATO Eastern frontier exercises

Germany will significantly increase the number of its armed forces personnel participating in NATO exercises on the military alliance's so-called "Eastern frontier", German media reported on Monday.


Around 12,000 German soldiers will participate in such exercises in 2018 according to a schedule drawn up by the Ministry of Defense.

The figure marks a three-fold increase compared to 2017, resulting in total costs estimated at 90 million euros (111.4 million US dollars). The single largest upcoming NATO maneuver, "Trident Juncture", will be carried out in the fall and mobilize between 30,000 and 40,000 soldiers in total. Around 8,000 Germans will participate in this exercise.

The news comes only a few days after Wolfgang Ischinger, chairman of the annual Munich Security Conference (MSC), warned against a heightened risk of a military confrontation between the United States and Russia.
 (chinamedia)
 20/2/18