For months Germany was rumored to be rolling back compulsory military service to make the Bundeswehr "capable of waging war" again. The Minister of Defense presented his new concept. What is intended.
Since conscription was abolished in Germany in 2011, the Bundeswehr has been constantly short of military personnel. Instead of growing, the army's personnel is shrinking. For example, in March 2024, just over 181,000 recruits joined the army. However, Germany has made a commitment to NATO to have a combat-ready army of 203,000 men by 2031, and in the future with 240,000 men.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has repeatedly said that it is high time the Bundeswehr became "capable of waging war". The minister also argued with the new threat in Europe: "Russia is waging a war", Pistorius said and added: "In 2029 it will be able to attack a NATO country".
„The most prepared and the most motivated“
For months, Pistorius has been working on a new concept for military service. Conscription will still not be compulsory, but selective. "Only those who are the most prepared, the most suitable and the most motivated will be selected for military service," he declared yesterday in Berlin during the presentation of his concept.
In other words - it is not a question of universal and mandatory military service at all. Only registration will be required: all 18-year-old men will have to fill out a questionnaire, and women – only on request, in which they declare whether they would like to serve in the army. Their engagement will last six months, with the possibility of an extension of up to 23 months.
Approximately 40,000 applicants per year
Pistorius suggests that around 40,000 applicants a year will show genuine interest in military service. They will undergo a mandatory physical and mental fitness test. Regardless of its result, candidates will still have the right to refuse military service.
In order to implement these plans, it is necessary to expand the existing infrastructure – more barracks, instructors and equipment. Estimates show that around 1.4 billion euros will be needed to reach the target of 5,000 conscripts per year.
At the same time, Pistorius wants more reserves – the goal is to increase the contingent of reservists by 200,000 people.
Today, the Bundeswehr is an all-volunteer army in which women also serve. Boris Pistorius has always criticized the abolition of conscription, considering it wrong. His new concept will now make the volunteer army less voluntary.
Germans support conscription
A recent survey conducted by the market research institute YouGov on behalf of the newspaper "Welt am Sonntag” shows that 60% of respondents support universal conscription.
Politicians, however, react with restraint to Pistorius' proposal – even in the governing tripartite coalition it faces resistance. Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also reserved about the concept.