'Big gaps' persist in German military personnel, equipment - parliamentary report

FILE PHOTO: German Bundeswehr armed forces soldiers of the 371st armoured infantry battalion march during a media day of the NATO drill 'NOBLE JUMP 2015' at the barracks in Marienberg April 10, 2015. The 371st armoured infantry battalion is part of the NATO Response Force (NRF) and Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's military must move faster to tackle persistent gaps in personnel and equipment that are hampering troops at a time when the country is taking on more responsibilities in NATO, a new report said on Tuesday.

The annual report by Hans-Peter Bartels, parliamentary ombudsman for the armed forces, follows a spate of media reports about shortfalls in everything from tanks to body armour that have raised concerns about whether Germany will be ready to take command of a NATO rapid response force next year.