Germany’s Defence Minister has given a major hint that the country could reintroduce compulsory military conscription to beef up its army. NATO countries are facing a growing threat from a more belligerent and aggressive Russia, as Moscow looks to reshape Europe’s security architecture.
The Kremlin continues to build up its military might, having moved its economy onto a war footing following its unlawful invasion of Ukraine. General Carsten Breuer, the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr, believes Russia will be “capable of a large-scale conventional attack, even on NATO territory, by 2029”. In response to the threat posed by Russia, Germany’s new government is reportedly looking to invest billions of euros in its military to bring it rapidly up to scratch, after years of decline.
Boris Pistorius wants to increase his defence budget from €52 billion to over €60 billion (£50 billion), starting this year, according to sources who spoke to Reuters.
He also suggested in a news conference last week that Berlin could raise its military spending to as high as 5% of GDP, up from its current 2%.
Germany is also attempting to boost troop numbers through a voluntary military conscription programme based on the Swedish model.
The government plans to send a questionnaire to all 18-year-olds in a given year, which must be filled out and returned by men, but which is voluntary for women.
The form includes questions about fitness and a willingness to serve in the military.
The answers will help determine who will be invited to undergo a military physical examination.
However, Boris Pistorius told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, that the government could review its conscription policy if it fails to attract enough volunteers.
“If the time comes when we have more capacity available than voluntary registrations, then a decision may be made to make recruitment mandatory,” he said. “That is the roadmap.”
Currently, the Bundeswehr has just over 182,000 active service members. But it lacks pilots, IT specialists and electrical engineers, among others.
While it has plenty to offer — including a wide range of training programs, free train travel in uniform and free medical care – very few young people are applying for jobs.
Berlin needs to boost military numbers to around 460,000 in order to comply with NATO requirements.
