Germany’s government launched a major campaign Wednesday to expand voluntary military service as leaders warn that Russian aggression demands a stronger Bundeswehr. The push comes as Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to make Germany “the strongest conventional army in Europe” while avoiding an immediate return to compulsory conscription.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius outlined the plan after Merz’s Cabinet approved his proposal for a new service model aimed at boosting troop numbers. Germany currently fields about 181,000 active service members but says it needs 260,000, plus an additional 200,000 reservists. “The Bundeswehr must grow,” Pistorius said, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine. “Only then is deterrence toward Russia really credible.”
The plan includes more attractive pay, flexible service terms, and new training opportunities for volunteers willing to commit for at least six months. Beginning next year, all young adults turning 18 will receive questionnaires about their willingness to serve. Starting in 2027, men will undergo mandatory medical exams, though service will remain voluntary unless recruitment goals fall short.
Some conservatives in Merz’s coalition argue the effort does not go far enough. Bavarian governor Markus Söder warned that appeals and incentives alone will not meet targets, predicting compulsory service will be inevitable. “Putin could be in a position to challenge NATO in 2027 or 2029,” Söder said. “Why wait if we already know the danger is there?”
The debate underscores Germany’s rapid pivot on defense since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Berlin established a €100 billion modernization fund, loosened budget rules to allow higher defense spending, and recently inaugurated a new Rheinmetall ammunition factory capable of producing 350,000 artillery shells per year.
Pistorius left the door open to reviving conscription, saying it could be introduced within the next several years if volunteer numbers prove insufficient. For now, Germany is betting on incentives and patriotic appeals to grow its ranks before resorting to mandatory service.
