Germany is considering reinstating compulsory military service in response to escalating tensions with Russia and concerns over national security.
At a Glance
- Defense Chief’s Statement: General Carsten Breuer says conscription is essential to meet military staffing goals.
- Personnel Shortfall: Germany’s military needs 100,000 more troops, with current forces at only 181,000.
- Political Support: Conservative leaders back conscription to bolster national defense.
- Public Opinion: Older Germans support the draft; younger citizens largely oppose it.
- NATO Readiness: Germany aims to increase troop strength and reserve forces in line with NATO obligations.
Defense Chief Advocates for Conscription
General Carsten Breuer, Germany’s Chief of Defense, has underscored the urgency of rebuilding the Bundeswehr’s manpower. He argued that Germany cannot reach its target of adding 100,000 soldiers without some form of mandatory service. “We won’t get this additional 100,000 soldiers without having one or the other, a model of conscription,” Breuer said, according to London Loves Business.
Breuer also warned about the narrowing window for preparation, noting, “It’s not about how much time I need, it’s much more about how much time Putin gives us to be prepared.”
For context and expert analysis, watch Euronews coverage of Germany’s evolving military strategy.
Political Momentum for Reinstating Conscription
Support for conscription is growing among German political leaders. Florian Hahn, defense policy spokesman for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said Germany must act decisively in an era of global instability. He urged that the first conscripts should begin serving as early as 2025, as reported by Stars and Stripes.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz has proposed reintroducing a mandatory service year, giving young citizens the option between military and civilian service. “We must increase personnel strength in the armed forces,” Merz emphasized, according to Courthouse News.
Challenges in Military Recruitment
Germany’s armed forces face systemic recruitment challenges. Many young enlistees leave within six months, and the number of conscientious objectors is increasing. The Bundeswehr has launched public campaigns to promote service, and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has proposed a voluntary year of national service—including both civilian and military options. Still, as Financial Times reports, skepticism remains especially high among younger Germans.
Public Opinion and Generational Divide
A March 2024 survey by YouGov shows that 49% of Germans support reinstating conscription, while 36% oppose it. Support is strongest among citizens aged 50 and older, whereas a majority of 18–29-year-olds reject the idea. There is also a gender debate: 48% believe women should be subject to the draft, while 35% oppose their inclusion, according to The Munich Eye.
NATO Commitments and Defense Readiness
Germany’s move is aligned with NATO’s broader strategic objectives. The country aims to grow the Bundeswehr to 203,000 active-duty troops by 2031. In addition, reserve forces could expand from 60,000 to 200,000, creating a wartime-ready force of over 460,000, as noted by Reuters.
These efforts come amid broader European moves to strengthen defense postures as Russian assertiveness grows. Germany’s conscription debate, once politically taboo, is now central to national and regional security planning.
