The size of the German armed forces has reached its highest level in 12 years – 184,200 soldiers, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in an interview with DPA today, BTA reported.
The active-duty Bundeswehr has increased by about 3,000 soldiers in 2025, the highest number of recruits in 15 years, Pistorius said.
Germany is aiming to increase its army size to 260,000 by 2035 as part of new NATO targets agreed last year amid the growing threat from Russia.
After months of tense debate, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government reinstated a military service program late last year. The scheme is initially voluntary but could become mandatory if recruitment falls below required levels.