German cabinet agrees steps to boost army recruitment amid tensions with Russia

By AFP and Global Watch | 2025-09-04

Germany's cabinet approved steps to boost recruitment for the armed forces and strengthen military readiness in the face of high tensions between NATO and Russia.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz on August 27 labelled Russia "the greatest threat to freedom, peace and stability in Europe" and stressed that Germany "must have the largest conventional army on the European side of NATO."

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the recruitment drive aimed to attract volunteers to the Bundeswehr but the proposal also includes provisions for compulsory service in case numbers fall short in coming years.

From January 1, a questionnaire will be sent to all young German men and women to assess their fitness, skills and interest in serving, according to a draft law that must still be passed by parliament.

While men must complete it, it will be voluntary for women.

Starting on July 1, 2027, 18-year-old German men will also be required to undergo a mandatory medical examination, even if they do not opt for voluntary military service.

The goal is to create a nationwide "situation report" on military readiness.

In the event of war, conscription, which was suspended in 2011, would automatically reapply, meaning men aged 18 to 60 could be drafted.

There are currently around 182,000 soldiers in the Bundeswehr plus 49,000 reservists. Pistorius is aiming for at least 260,000 troops and 200,000 reservists, in line with NATO targets.

The recruitment drive has featured social media campaigns and includes promises of a salary of at least 2,300 euros ($2,660) a month plus free healthcare and other perks.

New security council

Merz has made boosting Germany's military a key priority given heightened tensions with Russia and after US President Donald Trump cast doubt on the future strength of the American security umbrella for Europe.

The move also comes amid growing alarm across Europe that Russia's military ambitions may eventually extend beyond Ukraine.

A report from the Danish Defense Intelligence Service (DDIS) in February warned that Russia is preparing for a potential future war with NATO -- even if no formal decision has yet been made in Moscow.

"Russia views itself as being in a conflict with the West and is preparing for a war with NATO," the report stated.

While the DDIS assessed that Russia is unlikely to take on both Ukraine and NATO simultaneously, it cautioned that once combat operations in Ukraine end or pause, Moscow could rapidly redeploy troops and military resources toward NATO's eastern flank.

Elsewhere in Germany, weapons-maker Rheinmetall on August 20 opened Europe's largest munitions plant, with Pistorius, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and NATO chief Mark Rutte among the guests.

Taking up 30,000 square meters (323,000 square feet) -- roughly the size of five football fields -- the factory in Unterluess in northern Germany will be able to produce 350,000 artillery shells a year by 2027.

Meanwhile, the cabinet also approved a new national security council tasked with analyzing the global security situation and developing Germany's responses.

"This body will be a central platform for the government for overarching issues of national security," said Merz.

Ministers also announced new steps to better protect the armed forces against drone surveillance, sabotage and other threats.

Military police will have greater powers to question suspects outside armed forces barracks.

And the military intelligence service will be given greater latitude for counterespionage activities and to do background checks on army recruits, including on their social media accounts.