BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The new defense minister Boris Pistorius does not consider the financial needs of the German armed forces to be covered by the 100-billion-euro special pot launched last year. "The 100 billion euros will not be enough," the SPD politician told the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (weekend edition). "With every new system, we also have new maintenance costs. So with every new device, there are new and higher running costs." Asked if it would then be possible to stay with the regular budget of around 50 billion euros a year, Pistorius replied, "I don't assume that will be enough."

The so-called special fund of 100 billion euros to better equip the Bundeswehr had been launched by the German government after the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Pistorius had recently announced talks with the arms industry to close gaps in the Bundeswehr caused by arms deliveries to Ukraine as quickly as possible. Referring to the recently announced transfer of 14 Leopard 2 tanks, Pistorius told the "SZ" newspaper, "Of course we are setting out to procure replacements." Tanks, however, would not be sitting somewhere "on the shelf for the taking."

The minister described the suspension of compulsory military service by the black-yellow federal government in 2011 as a mistake. "If you ask me as a civilian, as a citizen, as a politician, I would say it was a mistake to suspend conscription." He didn't mean that at all because of today's situation. "Our parliamentary army belongs in the middle of society. In the past, conscripts sat at every second kitchen table. Because of that, too, there was always a connection to civil society." But that can't just be brought back. Now the Bundeswehr has to be made so attractive that good young people are interested in it and apply.

Asked if that was enough, Pistorius said, "If you ask me, born in 1960, what I think about doing a duty, even for the state, I would say yes anytime!" But he said he has a problem with imposing a duty on younger generations now. "That's why I'm reluctant. But it should be discussed openly with those it affects, because we just perceive an alienation between parts of society and the state," he added, referring to attacks against firefighters and police officers.

Pistorius took office just over a week ago after the resignation of his predecessor Christine Lambrecht (also SPD)./sku/DP/ngu