From the Editors of the New York Times:  Germany, like most European countries, is under pressure to cut military spending. But instead of slashing and burning, it has developed a sensible plan that links reduced spending with modernizing reforms that will let it contribute more troops to NATO operations. …

They would reduce force levels from 250,000 to 185,000, cut the Defense Ministry staff in half, eliminate duplicative weapons programs and save billions more by buying helicopters and other systems “off the shelf” from American, British and European manufacturers.

When the transition is complete, Germany will have at least doubled the number of troops it has available for long-term duty abroad — from roughly 7,000 today to at least 14,000 — and will be able to send them on more challenging missions. …

Most of the credit for pushing these changes belongs to Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.  …

The essence of his reforms must move ahead. They are already overdue. And Germany’s European NATO allies, facing similar cost pressures and similarly altered threats, should emulate them.  (photo: Getty)

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