Friend of Mine got let go over one these kind of layoffs. He had half he year where he stayed at home while still recieving his pay check in addition to half a month one time pay for each year worked there. Also he had the choice to accept it.
Let's compare that to America: Two weeks notice. If you're lucky.
Germany is expecting an attack from Russia as well at some point in the close future. That's the reason the budget for the military went up. There are also discussions of starting the draft again.