A survey, however, shows that only 17% of Germans trust the Bundeswehr's ability to defend the country, while 72% do not believe it could do so.

A survey conducted by the Insa institute, published by the Bild newspaper, reveals a significant decrease in the confidence of German citizens in the army's ability to defend the country. Only 17% of respondents believe that the Bundeswehr could provide adequate defense, while 72% do not share this belief. Additionally, 38% of participants expressed concern about a possible attack from Russia, down from 52% in September 2025. Carsten Breuer, the head of the German Army's General Staff, warned that Russia could launch an attack on NATO by 2029, emphasizing the need for NATO to be prepared for an immediate state of alert. The survey also highlighted an increased concern regarding cyberattacks, with two-thirds of respondents expressing their fears in this regard.