Sound the Recruitment Alarm: Germany Mulls Over Compulsory Military Service
Germany requires additional 60,000 troops under new NATO strategy.
Brussels (dpa) - It's time for a major upheaval in Germany's military sector. The German military demands a massive expansion to meet NATO's fortified defense requirements, as Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) declared in Brussels ahead of the upcoming NATO meeting. This transformation may potentially resurrect the specter of mandatory military service.
"Taking our rough estimate into account, we're looking at an additional 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers within the standing forces, compared to our current numbers," said Pistorius. As he continued, eyebrows raised: "With the new military service model on the table, it's essential to debate whether the impending version will suffice for future challenges."
Last year, Pistorius unveiled his vision for a reimagined military service, with a mandatory registration phase requiring young men to express their readiness for service, and women to volunteer. This transformation is a direct response to NATO's plans to bolster its military capabilities due to persistent threats from Russia. Given Germany's size and economic might, it's expected to shoulder a substantial portion of the military reinforcement, much like previous occasions.
In his Brussels address, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte underscored the urgency for additional resources, troops, and capabilities to ensure the alliance remains prepared for any possible threats, prioritizing air and missile defense, long-range weapon systems, logistics, and large land force formations.
US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth echoed the call for increased defense spending, emphasizing the need for all NATO countries to reach the five percent of GDP target. Considering the current NATO requirement of two percent, a decision due at the NATO summit in The Hague in about three weeks will shake things up.
But what about Germany's current standing? The German military saw a decrease in active duty personnel last year, despite recruitment efforts. By the end of 2024, the defense ministry reported around 181,150 soldiers, a slight dip from December 31, 2023, when there were approximately 181,500 servicemembers. The aspired target of 203,000 active soldiers in the armed forces remains elusive.
Pistorius' old military service model hinted at a potential force of around 460,000 soldiers, including 203,000 active soldiers, 60,000 reservists, and a proposed addition of 200,000 new reservists. While initial plans maintain a cap of 460,000 soldiers, military planners are leaning towards a shift towards more active soldiers and potentially fewer reservists.
The looming question now revolves around mandatory military service. In the light of NATO's plans, a renewed debate over conscription is brewing in the shadows. The newly appointed parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, Henning Otte (CDU), has suggested that increasing NATO requirements can't be accomplished without a partial return to conscription and a rejuvenated German army. Otte urged the Ministry of Defense to present a concrete plan, ensuring the transition to mandatory service for a designated quota of young people won't be overly burdensome.
Historically, Germany has capped its military personnel to 370,000 according to the 2+4 treaties. In February 2025, the Scientific Service of the Bundestag clarified that the “personnel strength” mention in the treaty seems to refer only to active, constantly available troop strength, or regular soldiers, leaving leeway for the potential reintroduction of conscription in the future. The specter of compulsory military service is, thus, a worrisome possibility highly anticipated as Germany deliberates the course of action that will ensure its military is adequately equipped to confront future challenges while adhering to NATO's demands.
"Given the potential expansion of Germany's military and the increasing demands from NATO due to persistent threats, a debate about the necessity of reinstating mandatory military service has arisen in politics."
"The possibility of resurrecting compulsory military service is being considered by the German government as part of their strategy to meet NATO's fortified defense requirements and ensure their military is adequately equipped for future challenges."
