German Government Agrees on Plan to Increase Armed Forces Personnel

WISE NEWS PRESS / BERLIN, GERMANY — NOVEMBER 15, 2025

Germany’s coalition government has reached an agreement on a new plan to significantly boost the size of its armed forces after months of deliberation. The new service plan is geared toward creating Europe’s strongest conventional army, a goal that Armin Papperger, CEO of major German defense firm Rheinmetall, believes can be achieved within five years.

The new military service bill is expected to be voted on by the German parliament (Bundestag) before the end of 2025.

Mandatory Questionnaire for 18-Year-Old Men

The core of the new plan makes it mandatory for all men turning 18 to fill out a form to determine their suitability for military service. Furthermore, they will be required to undergo health screenings starting in 2027.

While the questionnaire will be voluntary for women, the screening requirement applies to all men upon turning 18. These questionnaires and health checks are intended to serve as a guide for identifying potential recruits in the event of a national defense crisis.

Troop Numbers to Hit 260,000 by 2035

The reforms aim to dramatically increase the size of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces). Currently standing at approximately 182,000 personnel:

• The new model, if enacted, is expected to increase the troop count by 20,000 next year.

• The goal is to raise the total number of soldiers to 260,000 by 2035, supplemented by an additional 200,000 reserve troops.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius sought to reassure the public that the move reduces, rather than increases, the risk of conflict: "The more capable our military is in terms of armament, training, and personnel, the stronger our deterrence and defense, and the less likely we are to become involved in a conflict."

Geopolitical Drivers and Conscription Debate

The move is being driven by the renewed security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. General Carsten Breuer, the German Chief of Defence, previously warned that the NATO alliance needed to be prepared for a potential Russian attack within four years—a timeline Rheinmetall CEO Papperger agrees with, stating preparedness must be achieved by 2029.

German foreign intelligence (BND) chief Martin Jaeger warned that Russia aims to expand its sphere of influence westward and would not hesitate to engage in a hot conflict with NATO. He added that Germany is Russia's "number one target" due to its role as the EU's largest country and Kyiv's most significant supporter.

The government has indicated that if the recruitment targets are not met, parliament may review the possibility of reintroducing mandatory conscription, which was suspended in 2011. This possibility is highly controversial: while a slight majority of all age groups support compulsory service, 63% of 18-to-29-year-olds are opposed to the idea.

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