The Bundeswehr Association sees the troops in bad shape despite the billions in special funds that have been decided.
The Bundeswehr is doing good things on NATO's eastern flank, on foreign missions and is giving equipment to Ukraine, said association head André Wüstner on Thursday in the ARD "Morgenmagazin".
But the 100 billion euros from the special fund would first have to be put into contracts.
"At the moment we are still in free fall," said Wüstner. The head of the Bundeswehr Association also called for the financial resources to be stabilized. 75 billion per year are required for the coming legislative period, said Wüstner. "Otherwise you don't even have to start."
Wüstner spoke before the Bundeswehr conference, which began on Thursday afternoon.
The motto of this year's two-day meeting is "The Bundeswehr at a turning point - a critical appraisal in times of war in Europe".
Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) and Inspector General Eberhard Zorn will speak there in the afternoon.
Wüstner also called for more efforts to recruit young people and technical equipment.
"You will need a larger package to attract people to serve in the armed forces." Nowadays, young people in particular want a perspective of how things will continue after their ten or twelve years of service, said Wüstner.
The Bundeswehr is "the largest temporary work agency".
He also campaigned for service in the troops.
"Everyone,