France and Germany Consider Reinstating Militaryโฃ Service Amid Rising Russiaโค Concerns
PARIS & BERLIN – Franceโ and Germany are actively exploring options to reinstate some formโ of mandatory military or national service, a significant shiftโค in defense policyโ prompted by escalating security concerns stemming from the war in Ukraine and perceived uncertainty regarding US commitment to European defense. The move signals โคa broader European reassessment of military preparedness following decades of downsizing and professionalization.
The โคpotential revival of compulsory service reflects a growing sense of vulnerability across the continent โand a โdesire to bolster national resilience.โ Following theโข end of the Cold War,numerousโ European nations dismantled conscription systems,opting โฃforโ smaller,highly-trained professional armies. However,recent signals from Washington suggesting diminished interest in defending conventional allies โคhave triggered “soul-searching” in Europe and a push to rebuild defense capabilities. Defense spendingโ by European Union member states โincreased 37 per cent in 2024 compared to โ2021, according to โEuropean Council figures.
Luxembourg and the United Kingdom โeliminated military conscription in the โ1960s, with 11 additional European countries following suit in the 1990s and 2000s. Currently, eight European nations – including Switzerland,โข austria, Finland, andโ Norway – maintain long-standing conscription programs. โIreland and Malta have not had military conscription as gaining independence from britain.
Details of the proposed French and German plans remain under progress,but discussionsโค center โon various models,ranging from universal mandatory service toโข selective conscription focused on specific skillsโค and demographics.The aim is not necessarily to create a large standing army, โbut โto enhance societal preparedness, strengthen national cohesion, andโ address potential โคmanpower shortages in critical defense sectors.
