The designated Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) sees Germany indirectly involved in the Ukraine war.
Pistorius spoke to journalists in Hanover on Tuesday that he felt "humility and respect for such an enormous task" that the new office entails.
"The Ministry of Defense is a major challenge even in civil times, in times of peace, and in times when the Federal Republic of Germany is indirectly involved in a war, even more so." Pistorius, who is scheduled to take office officially on Thursday, thanked his predecessor Christine Lambrecht (SPD) for her work.
"The Bundeswehr has to adapt to a new situation that arose with the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine," said Pistorius.
The soldiers should be closely involved in this process.
"I want to make the Bundeswehr strong for the time ahead," said Pistorius.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) praised Pistorius as a "friend" and a "very good politician".
"He has the strength and calm for such a big task at the turn of the century," said Scholz in Brandenburg on the sidelines of a visit to the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs.
Pistorius is “someone who can work with the troops and who the soldiers like”.
Scholz thanked Lambrecht for her work and paid her "respect for the decision" to step down.
Greens: Women are at least equally qualified
The Greens had criticized the abolition of parity in the Federal Cabinet in the wake of Pistorius' appointment.
A cabinet in which there are just as many women as men is extremely important, said the co-leader of the Greens parliamentary group, Katharina Dröge, on Tuesday in Berlin.
There could also have been a woman as Minister of Defense again.
Women are at least equally qualified.
It is actually a matter of course to fill the cabinet equally.
"That should also be the case for all future decisions."
Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit had previously announced in a press release that the Interior Minister of Lower Saxony would follow Lambrecht, who announced her resignation on Monday.
"I am very pleased to have won an outstanding politician from our country for the post of defense minister in Boris Pistorius.
Pistorius is an extremely experienced politician who has been tried and tested in administration, has been dealing with security policy for years and, with his competence, his assertiveness and his big heart, is exactly the right person to lead the Bundeswehr through this turning point," said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, according to the Message.
Pistorius will receive his certificate of appointment from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday and will take his oath of office in the Bundestag.