Berlin could consider a draft if the voluntary scheme fails to produce the required number of reservists, sources have told the agency
Germany is planning to introduce a voluntary six-month military service in order to double the number of reservists, Reuters has reported, citing informed sources.
Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Berlin has been trying to boost its armed forces, citing a “threat” posed by Russia. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed as “nonsense” claims it intends to attack NATO countries, saying that the Western politicians are deliberately scaring their populations to justify increased military spending.
Earlier this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to make the Bundeswehr the “strongest army” on the continent, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius eyeing a “drastic increase” to Germany’s military budget of up to €90 billion ($102 billion) by 2028.
The German government expects that attracting volunteers would allow the country to increase the number of reservists from around 100,000 to 200,000, Reuters reported in an article on Friday.
Berlin could consider returning to conscription, abolished in Germany since 2011, if the scheme fails to deliver, according to the sources.
During six-month service, volunteers would learn “simple tasks” such as guard duty while being offered the chance to eventually obtain tank or truck driver’s licenses, it added.
Berlin hopes that some of the volunteers would go on to have a career in the military, the sources said.
According to Reuters, Pistorius wants to have the legislation passed by the end of August so that the first volunteers to start their training in May next year.
The defense minister said in June that the Bundeswehr would be required to increase the number of its active duty troops from around 180,000 to 260,000 to meet its NATO targets.
The statement was made ahead of the recent NATO summit, during which the bloc’s members agreed to boost their defense spending to 5% GDP by 2035.
Russian officials have condemned the militarization drive in Germany and other Western European nations, urging them to support US-led peace initiatives for the Ukraine conflict, instead of gearing up for war with Moscow.
