- ~5 min read
Needed: Up to 60,000 More Active Soldiers, Says Pistorius - Significant Military Force Required: Estimated 60,000 Active Troops Necessary (Pistorius)
Germany's Armed Forces are at a crossroads, with the need for up to 60,000 more soldiers to meet urgent NATO requirements. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealeda this demand at a meeting of NATO defense ministers, where plans for enhanced defense capabilities are expected to be approved.
The Armed Forces: In Need of More Personnel Now
As NATO aims to significantly boost its military strengths for deterrence and defense against the ongoing Russian threat, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte declared 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." Priority will be given to air and missile defense, long-range weapon systems, logistics, and land force formations.
Despite ongoing recruitment efforts, the number of soldiers in the German Armed Forces has waned and average age has increased. By the end of 2024, there were approximately 181,150 soldiers, with 181,500 active at the end of 2023, according to the Ministry of Defense. The initial goal had been to have 203,000 active soldiers by 2025.
Pistorius' Military Model and the Future of Mandatory Service
Defense Minister Pistorius unveiled his model for a new military service last year, outlining the need for up to 60,000 additional active soldiers, 60,000 existing reservists, and 200,000 new reservists. It is believed that the upper limit of 460,000 will be maintained, but there is a push for a shift towards more active soldiers and fewer reservists.
In 2025, the discussion around mandatory military service has gained intensity. The new Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte (CDU), suggests that "massively" raising NATO requirements cannot be met without a partially mandatory military service and a more attractive German Armed Forces. He urged the Ministry of Defense to present a concrete proposal that would make it easier for youth to partake in mandatory military service.
A Parliamentary Shift?
Lawmakers have personally acknowledged the need for mandatory service if the voluntary system fails to meet recruitment targets. It is possible that compulsory military service may be reinstated as early as 2026. In this scenario, Defense Minister Pistorius states, "If the time comes when we have more capacity available than voluntary registrations, then a decision may be made to make recruitment mandatory. That is the roadmap."
With the government focusing on a 'new, attractive voluntary military service,' a potential draft could be reintroduced as early as 2026, should voluntary recruitment targets remain unmet. The forthcoming legislative action and parliamentary debates are poised to shed light on the future of compulsory military service in Germany.
- Key Developments
- Senior German officials and military union leaders warn that the Bundeswehr may need up to 260,000 soldiers to meet its obligations, far beyond its current active force of approximately 180,000.
- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has stated that Germany needs an additional 50,000 to 60,000 active soldiers to be permanently available for NATO and national defense purposes.
- Current plans aim to increase active troops to 200,000 by 2031, but may still fall short of evolving requirements outlined by NATO.
- Voluntary Recruitment Approach
- The current government, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is relying on voluntary military service, as outlined in the coalition agreement with the Social Democrats.
- Efforts are being made to revamp and make voluntary military service more attractive to young people, including improved conditions and benefits.
- Rising Pressure for Compulsory Measures
- Despite these efforts, there is growing skepticism that voluntary recruitment alone will be sufficient. The new parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces, Henning Otte, has called compulsory military service “inevitable” in light of current pressures.
- Both conservative lawmakers and the defense minister have publicly acknowledged that if the voluntary system fails to meet recruitment targets, compulsory military service may be reintroduced as early as 2026.
- Legislative and Political Timeline
- The government is currently drafting new legislation to support a “new, attractive voluntary military service.”
- If voluntary recruitment targets are not met, a draft could be reinstituted as soon as 2026.
- The political debate on this contentious issue is expected to continue throughout 2025.
The reintroduction of mandatory military service in Germany is a potential solution being considered due to the upcoming legislative action and parliamentary debates, as the active force of the German Armed Forces is falling short of the demands outlined by NATO. This follows from the discussion around mandatory military service gaining intensity in 2025, with lawmakers acknowledging its necessity if the voluntary system fails to meet recruitment targets.
In the realm of policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, Germany's defense policy and employment policy are intertwined, as the military service model presented by Defense Minister Pistorius calls for up to 60,000 additional active soldiers, a shift towards more active soldiers and fewer reservists, and a partially mandatory military service if the voluntary system is ineffective. This policy development is also related to war-and-conflicts, specifically the ongoing Russian threat, which necessitates a significant boost in NATO's military strengths for deterrence and defense purposes.
){kind=link}