The German Armed Forces are facing a critical shortage of spare parts that threatens their operational capabilities, as reported by Sueddeutsche Zeitung and public broadcasters WDR and NDR. Internal documents from HIL, the state-owned maintenance provider, reveal that only about 50% of essential military equipment, including PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers and Marder infantry fighting vehicles, were operational as of May. The remaining equipment is reportedly stuck in prolonged maintenance cycles. HIL executives indicated that the operational readiness of certain equipment types could fall to 30% after military exercises due to inadequate long-term supply contracts for spare parts. This situation could lead to permanent limitations on the operational readiness of some weapon systems. The Defense Ministry has been criticized for focusing on short-term repair demands instead of addressing the underlying supply issues. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government is pushing for a significant military buildup in response to perceived threats from Russia, despite warnings from the German Central Bank about record budget deficits since the early 1990s.