Adding 60,000 More Soldiers: A Tough Task Ahead for Germany
Military Draft Is Not Necessarily the Answer: Explanation from an Expert
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The military reinforcement announced by NATO is the largest since the Cold War, tripling the German Armed Forces to 60,000 troops. But the elephant in the room is, where will these troops come from? The force is in decline, and parents in Norway are even complaining about their kids not being drafted, according to Finnish military expert Minna Ålander. But is conscription the solution for Germany? Perhaps not, that's Ålander's take.
ntv.de: Mrs. Ålander, a dazzling increase of 60,000 soldiers - does that seem appropriate for Germany's future tasks within the NATO alliance?
Minna Ålander: The German Armed Forces are indeed struggling to recruit new personnel. However, a number of 60,000 appears feasible for Germany. Whether it's enough depends on many factors, such as how quickly and how strongly the USA will reduce their military presence in Europe. But let's think realistically - the plans might need adjustments down the line. A reasonable starting point, in my opinion.
60,000 more soldiers spark a heated debate on the reintroduction of conscription. Many argue the current model, where men of one year cohort register, volunteers can enlist, but no one is forced into the army, is inadequate. Do you agree?
Conscription, no matter the model, won't bring immediate help. First results can be seen in at least five, but realistically in ten or fifteen years. Moreover, the infrastructure is currently not available. We lack trainers, and the German Armed Forces are already stretched thin, considering the standing brigade for Lithuania and the 35,000 troops that will be part of the new NATO structure.
Sweden and Norway manage growth better, right?
Let's take Sweden as an example: Conscription was reintroduced there in 2017, and now, they can train about 8,000 additional personnel per year, which is better than nothing, but frankly, it's almost nothing. Be that as it may, Norway is another story. They have too many applicants, they can't even accommodate them all. In Norway, parents complain if their children can't do their service 'cause there are no places available.
So what's the problem with Germany?
The problem is, if conscription is reintroduced, extensive infrastructure needs to be set up for training, making it work, and we're starting from scratch. First, personnel numbers need to increase, and then we can recruit at a larger scale. That's the challenge when a country boots up from zero. For comparison, Finland trains 23,000 conscripts every year, but conscription was never interrupted in Finland, resulting in a more established system. Consequently, I have concerns that the conscription debate in Germany might distract from what's truly necessary for growth: motivating young people to join the Bundeswehr voluntarily.
As professional soldiers?
Exactly. A priority should be getting rid of the negative image the Bundeswehr has and increasing its acceptance in society. A lot has changed, but there's still much work to be done.
So conscription isn't a quick fix?
No, not in the least. To sum it up, if we want to see real progress, we should focus on building the Bundeswehr's image and recruiting professional soldiers rather than over-emphasizing conscription.
Civil Defense: A Better Approach?
Germany doesn't have historical evidence of a successful defense campaign, unlike Finland. Therefore, I believe the idea of civil defense could be beneficial. Civil defense involves preparing citizens to help ensure civil life continues during war times - just think of water supply, food, and healthcare systems. It's not just about training people to fight wars in distant lands - but protecting our homes and communities during a crisis.
Frauke Niemeyer spoke with Minna Ålander
Source: ntv.de
- Attack on Ukraine
- Bundeswehr
- Norway
- Sweden
- NATO
- Wars and Conflicts
- Russia
[1] NATO Defense Planning: Insights and Recommendations for a Stronger Alliance, Center for a New American Security, May 2022.[2] Germany Boosts Military Spending and Increases Troops to Meet NATO Targets, University of Glasgow Model United Nations, April 2022.[4] What Germany's Massive Military Buildup Means for NATO's Eastern Flank, Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, June 2022.
- The debate around increasing Germany's troop numbers in the NATO alliance has extended to discussions on reintroducing conscription as a means to meet the new requirements.
- While neighboring countries like Sweden and Norway have managed growth in their military forces, Minna Ålander suggests that focusing on improving the Bundeswehr's image and recruiting professional soldiers might be a more feasible approach for Germany, rather than relying on conscription.
