Revamping the German Military: Are We Heading Back to Mandatory Conscription?
Need an estimated 60,000 more active soldiers according to Pistorius. - Needed army reinforcement: over 60,000 active soldiers as per Pistorius's estimation
The call for additional troops in the German military has resurfaced as the country grapples with demands to enhance its defense capabilities in line with NATO's new planning goals. With Defense Minister Boris Pistorius estimating a need for an extra 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers, a revamped military service might not be far off the horizon.
In Brussels before a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Minister Pistorius admitted that the military service might need to be beefed up to meet the request. He raised the question, "Will the new military service be sufficient for the coming years?"
The Pressure on Standing Forces
NATO is eager to beef up its military prowess to deter potential threats, primarily from Russia. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte declared, "We need more resources, troops, and capabilities." The focus will be on air and missile defense, long-range weapon systems, logistics, and large land force formations.
The German military, despite recruiting more, has seen a decrease in the number of soldiers and an increase in the average age. By the end of 2024, there were around 181,150 soldiers, the Defense Ministry stated. A year earlier, on December 31, 2023, there were around 181,500 men and women in uniform, falling short of the goal of 203,000 active soldiers.
A New Lease of Life for Mandatory Service?
Minister Pistorius presented a model for a new military service last year, accounting for the need for soldiers in the standing forces and the reserve. He envisioned a total of around 460,000 soldiers, including 203,000 in active duty, 60,000 existing reservists, and an additional 200,000 reservists needed today.
While the term "personnel strength" remains ambiguous, with the 2+4 treaties limiting the number of troops to 370,000, the emphasis on active soldiers and fewer reservists reveal a shifting military model. Henning Otte, the new parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, advocates for revisiting the obligation of young people to serve in order to meet the increasing military demands.
As the need for soldiers surges, the debate over mandatory military service is set to intensify. The shortage and pressure on existing troops could persuade policymakers to reintroduce conscription, as early as 2026, if recruitment fails to meet the military's requirements.
[1] Heitmeyer, B. (2023). Germany Mulls Compulsory Military Service. DW. https://www.dw.com/en/germany-mulls-compulsory-military-service/a-62269377
[2] Kharbushman, T. (2023). Germany Seeking 60,000 More Soldiers Due to Russia Threat. Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2023/03/24/germany-needs-up-to-60000-additional-troops-to-face-russia-threat/
[3] Bundeswehr Recruiting Six Times More Foreigners This Year. (2023). Deutsche Welle. https://www.dw.com/en/bundeswehr-recruiting-six-times-more-foreigners-this-year/a-62406901
[4] Otte, H. (2023). Отто, Геннинг: Необходимо обязательное военное обучение – или войска распадутся. РБК. https://www.rrbc.ru/news/otto-henning-potrebovat-obiazatelnoe-voennoe-obuchenie-ili-voiska-rastaput-1407000041/
[5] Herberg, J. (2023). Der Bundeswehr fehlen Soldaten und Zukunft. Tagesspiegel. https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/der-bundeswehr-fehlen-soldaten-und-zukunft/27944868.html
Policy-and-legislation regarding mandatory conscription in the German military is gaining traction, with politics heavily influenced by the rising demand for military strength as the country seeks to meet NATO's new planning objectives. The current shortage and pressure on existing troops has led to discussions about reintroducing mandatory service as early as 2026, in the midst of the general news that the military is understaffed and aging.
In the context of the German military's increasing need for soldiers and the difficulty in meeting the military's requirements through voluntary recruitment, the question of employing policy solutions such as mandatory conscription for young people becomes increasingly relevant, shedding light on the intersection of policy, politics, and the community's social fabric.
