Struggling Bundeswehr Contemplates Return of Conscription
Bundeswehr Volunteerism Reached Its Limit, Commander Admitted
In an informal chat with the German Press Agency (dpa), Major General Andreas Henne, commander of the Bundeswehr's Home Defense Division, voiced his doubts about the effectiveness of voluntary recruitment for the military in the long run. Henne expressed concerns about filling the ranks, particularly to safeguard defense-critical infrastructure.
Hanne mentioned that the plan is to garner enough volunteers to forgo compulsory service initially. However, he warned that as the need for soldiers grows, voluntarism may not suffice, leading to potential limitations. When asked about the timing for the first intake of volunteer recruits, Henne revealed plans for this year with preparations already underway.
The general also looked back at the 2011 suspension of conscription and suggested that in case of an emergency or war, the Bundeswehr would need to reinstate conscription, albeit restricting it to males. He proposed proactive discussions about possible changes to the Basic Law to address this issue.
Union faction vice Norbert Röttgen supports the introduction of a compulsory component in the new military service law, even if voluntarism proves insufficient for manpower increases in the Bundeswehr. Röttgen highlighted the need to have contingency plans ready, as any trial period would not afford them the luxury of time. The current suspension of conscription, effectively the abolition of both military and civilian service, has left the Bundeswehr with approximately 180,000 active soldiers. By 2031, the target is to boost these numbers to over 200,000, driven by NATO demands and Germany's military expansion goals.
The decision to reconsider conscription is a response to the ongoing difficulties in meeting recruitment targets for the Bundeswehr. As of May 2025, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius hinted that although the military would initially rely on voluntary service, the focus is on the word "initially," indicating that conscription could be reinstated if volunteer numbers fall short[2][3]. Legislation for a possible draft is currently being developed, with potential activation if the new volunteer-based system fails to meet recruitment goals[4]. Legislation for a possible draft is expected to take effect by January 2026[4].
Politics
- Union and SPD are in favor of a new voluntary military service model, following their coalition agreement
- Röttgen advocates for a legislative framework that includes both voluntary and compulsory elements, with compulsory service as a fallback option if voluntary recruitment fails to meet requirements
- The suspension of conscription in 2011 equated to the effective abolition of both military and civilian service
[1] ntv.de[2] Spiegel Online[3] Deutsche Welle[4] t-online.de
Bundeswehr Military Conscription German Defense Policy Norbert Röttgen
- In the context of the Bundeswehr's ongoing struggles with recruitment targets, Norbert Röttgen, a Union faction vice, advocates for a legislative framework that combines voluntary and compulsory elements, with compulsory service as a fallback option if voluntary recruitment fails to meet requirements.
- Amidst discussions about the potential reintroduction of conscription for the Bundeswehr, Major General Andreas Henne proposed proactive discussions about possible changes to the Basic Law, emphasizing the importance of having contingency plans ready in case of an emergency or war.
