Germany unveils new military service plan to boost German military’s strength
New Delhi, Nov 14: Germany’s coalition government has settled on a new military service framework aimed at boosting the Bundeswehr’s ranks after months of internal debate.
Under the plan, all 18-year-old men will be required to complete a suitability questionnaire next year, with mandatory medical screening to follow from 2027. Women of the same age will receive the questionnaire on a voluntary basis.
The move forms part of Berlin’s drive to build what it hopes will become Europe’s strongest conventional force. Rheinmetall chief Armin Papperger told the BBC the government’s target was achievable within five years, describing recent decisions as decisive steps toward strengthening the armed forces. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the new model by the end of 2025.
Germany’s military currently numbers about 182,000 personnel. The revised service scheme aims to raise that figure by 20,000 over the coming year and expand it to as many as 260,000 by the mid-2030s, backed by roughly 200,000 reservists. If recruitment goals fall short, the government has indicated parliament may consider some form of compulsory enlistment. In the event of a crisis, authorities would be able to draw on the questionnaires and medical assessments to identify potential recruits. The plan comes amid heightened security concerns across Europe. Earlier this year, Germany’s defence chief, Gen Carsten Breuer, warned NATO to prepare for the possibility of a Russian attack within four years. While Papperger cautioned he could not predict future threats, he said Germany needed to be prepared by 2029.
When the CDU/CSU and SPD formed their coalition, they agreed to reintroduce military service voluntarily at first. But the shift toward mandatory elements has prompted opposition from parts of the political left and from many younger Germans. A recent Forsa poll for Stern suggested that although a slim majority of adults favoured compulsory service, nearly two-thirds of those aged 18 to 29 were against it. Protests have already emerged outside the Bundestag, where some young people argue the government is overstating security threats to justify limiting personal choice. Others, however, see military service as a way to contribute to national defence and maintain deterrence in an increasingly uncertain security environment.
