Germany Powers Ahead With Record Push for Military Buildup

German lawmakers approved a record number of arms contracts during a closed-door meeting on Wednesday, kicking off a defense splurge of roughly €50 billion ($59 billion) for armored vehicles, air-defense missiles and satellites.

The 30 military procurement orders covered a wide range of materiel and services, setting the course for the expansion of capabilities and operational readiness of Germany’s armed forces, the defense ministry said in a statement.