According to the report, the institute blames the recent price increases, delays in the procurement of equipment and the underfunding of the Bundeswehr in the financial planning of the regular federal budget.

In response to the Russian attack on Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had confirmed that defense spending would increase to two percent of gross domestic product. However, as the "Rheinische Post" now reports, citing the IW's forecast, the regular defense budget would have to be increased "by at least five percent" per year without adding the special fund in order to achieve the two percent target.