Agency Report –
The German armed forces have seen a surge in interest in military service, according to Inspector General Carsten Breuer.
“Compared to last year, 15% more young people have opted for voluntary military service,” Breuer told dpa in comments released Saturday.
The German Cabinet has approved a draft bill to reintroduce military service on a voluntary basis. If passed by the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, the law would take effect on January 1, 2026.
Questions remain over whether the combination of military registration, mandatory military assessment and voluntary service will be enough to recruit a sufficient number of future soldiers.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the government has set a goal of 15,000 recruits this year and had already reached nearly 13,000 by August. The aim is to reach 30,000 per year by 2029, training a total of 110,000 personnel.
“We are ramping up all the capacity we can. It is clear that we urgently need the young men and women who come to us through the new military service,” Breuer said. “We are facing a threat that we must counter.”
The Bundeswehr, or German military, currently offers 20,000 places for voluntary military service and expects to train recruits within the existing structures next year. Breuer added that the force might also call on reservists as additional trainers in future years.
Maintaining operational readiness is a top priority, Breuer said. “A tank commander is either preparing for combat on NATO’s eastern flank or giving conscripts basic training – you can’t do both at the same time,” he added. “Finding the right balance is what matters now.”
He said the new service could encourage more recruits to pursue temporary or professional military careers.
