Germany Plans Recruitment of 60,000 Troops to Repel Russian Threat

Germany has announced plans to recruit about 60,000 additional troops into its military, the Bundeswehr, to meet NATO’s updated defense requirements amid the growing threat from Russia.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Thursday that the country is seeking to adapt its military posture in response to NATO’s plans for collective defense, as the alliance continues to shore up its eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“We assume, but this is only a rough estimate to be clear, that we need around 50,000 to 60,000 more soldiers in the standing armed forces than we have today,” Pistorius said at a NATO meeting in Brussels.

The minister admitted that plans for a more proactive voluntary system of recruiting might not be enough to bridge the gap as Germany adapts to a war-ready footing, stating conscription was “of no use at all now because we have the capacity neither in the barracks nor in training.”

“That’s why these capacities must grow,” the minister said. “Until then, voluntary participation applies.” Pistorius further promoted a model that relies on voluntary service that also allows the country to make conscription compulsory if needed.

Proposed Military Recruitment Model

Under the terms proposed by Pistorius, all 18-year-olds would be sent a questionnaire about their interest in the army and their physical condition and while all young men would be obliged to return the questionnaire, it would be voluntary for women.

A number would then be invited to participate in a selection process. Some would be recruited for an initial six-month period, with the option to extend. This model would bring back the conscription arrangement Germany had in place for young men until 2011, when the rule was scrapped.