Germany launched a drive to increase voluntary military service to strengthen its armed forces amid growing fears of Russian aggression. The government has modernized the military since Russia's 2022 invasion, creating a 100 billion euro special fund largely committed to procuring new equipment. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition loosened strict debt rules to enable higher defense spending and set a political aim for the Bundeswehr to be the strongest conventional army in Europe. Officials say active personnel must grow from about 181,000 to 260,000, alongside roughly 200,000 reservists. The new plan seeks more attractive pay and conditions to recruit volunteers while leaving the option of reinstating conscription if volunteer numbers fall short.
Germany, a leading NATO and European Union member, has moved to modernize its long-neglected military since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. That year, it set up a 100 billion euro ($117 billion) special fund to modernize the Bundeswehr, much of which has been committed to procuring new equipment. New Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition this year pushed plans through parliament to enable higher defense spending by loosening strict rules on incurring debt.
"The Bundeswehr must grow - the international security situation, above all Russia's aggressive behavior, make this necessary," Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Wednesday. "We need not just well-equipped forces, we are going at full speed on that ... we also need a Bundeswehr that is strong in terms of personnel. Only then is deterrence toward Russia really credible." Pistorius spoke after Merz's Cabinet approved his plan for a new military service system.
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