The Bundestag budget committee has approved a €52 billion ($61 billion) military expenditure package as Germany seeks to rapidly rearm in the face of the security threat posed by Russian aggression.

The budget committee is in charge of all large-scale arms purchases, which thus do not need fuller parliamentary approval.

The military outlay has been exempted from rules restricting public debt for the next few years as Germany tries to bring its fighting forces back to complete combat readiness following years of underfunding.

What will the Bundeswehr purchase with the money?

The military equipment to be purchased includes clothing and protective equipment for soldiers to the tune of €21 billion and 200 Puma infantry fighting vehicles worth €4 billion.

Rockets for the missile shield system Arrow 3, developed by Israel and the US, are also on the 29-point list of desired purchases put forward by the German armed forces or Bundeswehr.

The German armaments giant Rheinmetall is also to receive a €1.76 billion order for a satellite-based reconaissance system to support Bundeswehr forces stationed in Lithuania, on NATO's eastern flank.

What have German officials said?

Speaking to media in Berlin, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the decision to approve the expenditure put the government and parliament on track to meet ambitious defense commitments.

In a statement, his ministry said: "We are sending a signal to the (NATO) alliance and our partners: Germany is leading the way." 

"We are fulfilling our obligations to the alliance and accepting our responsibility for security and peace in Europe," it stressed.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko