“Germany were not under UN sanctions or subject to weapons inspections. In fact, Germany was welcomed back into the international military and business community..”

You’re crazy. Ever hear of the Treaty of Versailles? Germany had to pay reparations for WWI and was one of the poorest nations in Europe at the time. I remember seeing photos of Americans using German Marks as confetti for New Years Parades in the 30’s

Saddam had T72s, and Mig29s some of the most advanced weapons of the times. Germany was still fighting mostly with WWI equipment and those acquired from annexed territory like Czechoslovakia.