US EditionGermany’s Pistorius warns draft may return if troop numbers fall short
- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned in the Bundestag on May 14, 2025, that Germany may reinstate conscription if voluntary recruitment falls short.
- This announcement follows the coalition agreement of May 5, 2025, which supports initially relying on voluntary service amid growing security concerns and personnel shortages.
- In 2011, Germany ended its mandatory military draft and currently fields approximately 181,500 active troops, with plans to increase the force to around 203,000 by 2031 through a renewed focus on recruitment.
- Recruitment increased 20 percent early in 2025, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged to build Europe’s strongest army, emphasizing 'initially' relying on volunteers but keeping conscription as a fallback.
- If volunteer numbers remain insufficient, Pistorius indicated that reintroducing conscription would represent a significant policy reversal driven by security threats and doubts about U.S. Guarantees.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Germany could reintroduce military draft - defense minister
Boris Pistorius says the Bundeswehr needs to boost enlistment amid tensions with Russia. Germany may be forced to revive conscription if not enough people join the army voluntarily, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said. Berlin abolished conscription in 2011 but has recently considered bringing it back, citing "threats" from Russia. According to the broadcaster N-tv, the Social Democrats and Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats ag…
Defense Minister Says Germany May Have To Reintroduce Military Draft
Germany’s defense minister Boris Pistorius says the Bundeswehr may be forced to boost enlistment amid tensions with Russia According to Pistorius Germany may have to revive conscription if not enough people join the army voluntarily [...] The post Defense Minister Says Germany May Have To Reintroduce Military Draft appeared first on The People's Voice.
Berlin may reinstate compulsory military service if there is a shortage of volunteers
The German army, which is short of soldiers, currently has to rely on volunteers, and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that if the Bundeswehr's ranks continue to remain thin, the country will reinstate compulsory military service.
Germany could reintroduce military draft – defense minister – CLG News
Germany could reintroduce military draft – defense minister –Boris Pistorius says the Bundeswehr needs to boost enlistment amid tensions with Russia | 15 May 2025 | Germany may be forced to revive conscription if not enough people join the army voluntarily, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said. Berlin abolished conscription in 2011 but has recently considered bringing it back, citing “threats” from Russia. According to broadcaster N-tv, the…
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