Germany Moves to Revive Military Service Program Amidst Rising Security Concerns
Berlin, Germany – The German Bundestag is advancing plans to reintroduce a voluntary military service program for 18-year-olds, signaling a significant shift in defense policy driven by perceived threats from Russia adn pressure from international allies. The initiative, debated alongside a contentious pensions reform bill, aims to bolster the Bundeswehr and prepare Germany for potential future conflicts.
Currently, GermanyS army, the Bundeswehr, numbers approximately 182,000 troops. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has outlined ambitions to increase this figure by 20,000 within the next year, with a long-term goal of reaching 260,000 soldiers, supplemented by around 200,000 reservists, by the early 2030s.this expansion is intended to meet new NATO force targets and strengthen Germany’s overall defenses.
The program will initially be voluntary. However, from July 2027, all 18-year-old men will be required to undergo a medical examination to assess their suitability for military service. As Pistorius stated, these universal examinations are necessary to quickly determine “who is operationally capable as a homeland protector and who is not” in the event of an attack.
While the government intends to maintain a voluntary system for as long as possible, the possibility of compulsory service remains on the table. Should the security situation deteriorate or volunteer numbers fall short, the Bundestag could consider a return to mandatory conscription.Data collected from questionnaires and medical exams will be utilized to identify potential recruits should a conflict arise.
Germany previously ended compulsory military service in 2011 under former Chancellor Angela Merkel, following a period of reduced military spending during the 1990s. During the Cold War,the Bundeswehr boasted a force of nearly half a million soldiers.
The renewed focus on military preparedness reflects growing anxieties over regional security and sustained pressure from the United States, including from the administration of former President Donald Trump, for NATO countries to increase defense spending. Incentives for voluntary service are considerable, with participants promised a monthly salary of approximately €2,600.France has also recently announced a similar program, offering volunteers at least €800 (£700) per month for 10 months of training.
The move to revitalize the military comes as the Bundestag also navigated a vote on a pensions reform bill, a key component of the governing coalition’s agreement. While initially facing potential rebellion from within its own ranks, the bill ultimately secured enough support, aided by an abstention from the far-left Left party, narrowly averting a potential government crisis.
