Expanding Germany's Military: A Huge Push for 60k Extra Soldiers
Additional 60,000 active soldiers required, asserts Pistorius - Military reinforcement of up to 60,000 active soldiers called for by Pistorius
Germany's military forces are set to expand substantially, needing up to 60,000 additional soldiers in active duty to align with NATO's rigorous new defense goals. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) made the announcement before a meeting of NATO defense ministers, who are set to approve these new goals.
"We're looking at a rough estimate here, but we reckon we'll need around 50,000 to 60,000 more soldiers in the standing forces than we've got at present. And it's only natural to wonder: Will the new military service be enough for the years ahead?," said Pistorius.
The Urgent Demand for More Military Personnel
NATO aims to beef up its military capabilities to counter deterrence and defense threats, primarily from Russia. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated the previous day in Brussels, "We need more resources, troops, and capabilities to be prepared for any threat and to fully implement our collective defense plans." Top priorities include air and missile defense, long-range weapon systems, logistics, and large land force units.
Despite an influx of new recruits, the number of soldiers in the German Armed Forces dropped last year, while the average age increased. There were approximately 181,150 soldiers at the end of last year, a drop from around 181,500 the year before. The stated goal had been to maintain 203,000 active soldiers in the armed forces.
Pistorius' Military Service Model: More Troops Ahead
Last year, Pistorius presented his vision for a new military service and discussed troop requirements for both the standing army and the reserves. He mentioned a total of around 460,000 soldiers: specifically, 203,000 active soldiers, the 60,000 existing reservists, and an additional 200,000 reservists needed. However, military planners assume that the upper limit of 460,000 will be maintained, with more active soldiers and possibly fewer reservists being planned.
Germany, in the 2+4 treaties, had committed to limiting its soldier count to 370,000. The Scientific Service of the German Bundestag noted in February 2025 that the term "personnel strength" was not clearly defined, but it likely refers to the active, regularly serving soldiers.
The ongoing discussions about mandatory military service are expected to intensify. The new parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, Henning Otte (CDU), told the "Tagesspiegel" that meeting the increased NATO requirements "would be challenging without partially reintroducing a military draft and making the German Armed Forces more attractive." He urged for the Ministry of Defense to provide a detailed proposal for this shift, stating, "The hurdles for a switch to a contingent of conscripts should not be too high."
"In light of Germany's plan to expand its military forces and the requirement for up to 60,000 additional soldiers, discussions regarding the employment policy within the armed forces have become necessary. These policy discussions, falling under the category of policy-and-legislation, are intrinsically linked with politics and general news."
"As Germany aims to increase its military capabilities through a larger standing army and possibly more reservists, the ongoing debates about the reintroduction of a military draft and making the German Armed Forces more attractive to potential recruits have gained relevance in the realm of politics and policy-making."
