638 Foreign Relations, 1958-1960, Volume IX



    The Federal Republic's Role in Western Defense
    21. Because West Germany was not psychologically or administra-
tively prepared, some delay and difficulty was inevitable in the creation
of West German armed forces. But the principal obstacles to building up
an effective West German force have been, and will probably continue
to be, uncertainty as to the basic strategic concepts upon which forces
and weapons systems should be built and, to a lesser degree, a lack of
popular enthusiasm for the costs and sacrifices involved. Force goals for
West Germany, originally worked out in consultation with the West
German Government in the course of EDC planning, were endorsed by
NATO in 1952 and were established by North Atlantic Council in 1955
as a major contribution to the "shield concept" for the defense
of
Europe. West Germany will fall far short of attaining these goals (12
Army divisions by the end of 1958,60 air squadrons by the end of 1959,
and an over-all personnel strength of 500,000 men by the end of 1959). In
December the NATO Council approved the following West German
force goals for 1958: 8 Army divisions, 78 naval vessels, and 18 air
squadrons (including 7 undergoing operational training). West Ger-
many is expected to meet these 1958 goals. Following approval (prob-
ably in the spring of 1958) of the NATO Military Committee Document
(MC-70)5 on minimum essential NATO force requirements during
1958-1963, in the consideration of which West Germany is participating,
revised West German military plans for the period beyond 1958 can be
expected.
    22. The Federal Republic presently has approximately 120,000 men
in the armed forces, and recent planning figures show an interim
strength goal for the armed forces (excluding territorial forces) of
303,000 men by 1961. The Army consists of seven divisions: three infan-
try divisions already committed to NATO; two armored; one mountain;
and one airborne. All seven are under strength and possess only a lim-
ited combat capability. By March 31, 1959, the West Germans expect to
have nine divisions, one at only brigade strength. The Navy present
combat capability (principally minesweeping) is quite limited. A naval
construction program is under way but will not be completed until 1961.
The Air Force is still being organized and trained and has no combat
units-primarily because of the difficulty of obtaining qualified pilots
and land for airfields, and because of preoccupation with the implica-
tions of advanced aircraft types and missiles. West Germany has re-
cently indicated an interest in integrating short-range tactical missiles
in
its NATO-committed forces. West German defense expenditures, al-
though mounting, are only about 4.4% of gross national product as



5For documentation on the discussion of MC-70 in NATO, see volume VII, Part
1.