Germany is preparing to overhaul its military service system in what officials describe as the most significant shift in defence policy in decades.
The governing coalition has agreed on a new framework for conscription, seeking to rapidly expand the Bundeswehr and strengthen Europe’s collective security amid growing geopolitical tensions.
Under the proposed model, all 18-year-old men will be required to complete a compulsory suitability questionnaire for potential military service. Beginning in 2027, this step will be followed by mandatory medical examinations. Women will also receive the questionnaire, though their participation will remain voluntary.
The legislation is expected to be introduced to the Bundestag before the end of 2025.
Germany’s armed forces currently number around 182,000 active personnel. With the new system, the government aims to:
- add 20,000 soldiers during 2025,
- reach a total force of 255,000 to 260,000 personnel within the next decade,
- and have an additional reserve force of 200,000 available in times of national emergency.
If recruitment targets fall short, lawmakers may consider some form of compulsory military service. In a crisis, the questionnaires and medical screenings will serve as a rapid-deployment pool for new conscripts.
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall—Germany’s largest defence manufacturer—told the BBC that Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s target of creating Europe’s strongest conventional army is “realistic,” noting that the country “must be fully prepared by 2029.”
The reform marks a decisive response to the heightened security concerns across Europe, as Germany seeks a more assertive role in continental defence and a significant expansion of its military capabilities.
