Germany’s parliament passed an amendment aimed at speeding up and simplifying the procurement of armaments for the armed forces. Defence contracts will be awarded more frequently without lengthy tendering procedures, and the reform raises the limits for when direct awards are permissible. The bill passed with votes from CDU/CSU and SPD, and AfD also voted for it, while the Greens and the Left party voted against it. SPD lawmaker Mahmut Özdemir said the changes depart from peacetime procurement rules and are necessary to strengthen Germany’s defence capabilities amid heightened international tensions.