Germany may soon find itself resurrecting military conscription just over a decade after it was abolished.
At a Glance
- Germany’s military can only sustain operations for two days under current troop levels.
- Boris Pistorius sees conscription as an option if voluntary enlistment doesn’t improve.
- Military recruitment has declined despite a marginal increase in early 2025 applications.
- The “Swedish model” could be Germany’s next step, blending mandatory with volunteer service.
Germany’s Military Dilemma
Germany’s Bundeswehr faces an alarming shortage of personnel that could jeopardize its national defense. Recent reports indicate the force could only sustain wartime activities for two days due to critical understaffing. These shortages spotlight an urgent call for action as Russia exerts pressure across Europe’s eastern front, raising fears of conflict. The Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, warns that reinstating military conscription might be unavoidable if voluntary enlistment fails to bolster the ranks.
The war in Ukraine and escalating regional tensions cast a shadow over Germany’s security strategy. The Bundeswehr’s recruitment woes have persisted since conscription ended in 2011, with application rates merely inching forward by 20% in 2025. Even such progress falls short of the target, leaving Pistorius contemplating a hybrid model akin to Sweden’s selective conscription.
Facing the Russian Threat
Russia’s burgeoning military maneuvers have revitalized Germany’s defense discourse. The Bundeswehr aims to grow from its current 180,000 troops to 200,000 by 2031, a goal ever elusive under current voluntary conditions. Pistorius emphasizes that voluntary service remains the preferred pathway “initially,” suggesting that the nation stands at a pivotal choice between voluntary recruitment and enforced service.
“And I say this quite deliberately and honestly: the emphasis is also on ‘initially,’ in case we cannot recruit enough volunteers.” – Boris Pistorius.
Beyond troop numbers, the geographic and political landscape compounds Germany’s concerns. With possible NATO engagements looming by 2030, the defense ministry is critically assessing its capability to confront potential aggressions and support allies, such as Ukraine, which remains locked in conflict with Moscow’s ambitions.
A Debate of National Survival
The debate over reenacting conscription stretches beyond mere military logistics—it’s portrayed as existential. As Europe grapples with resurgent threats, Germany faces a polarizing decision about its military’s future. The prospect of resurrecting conscription has sparked heated discourse about German militarization’s post-Cold War legacy—a society cautious of its past is now seemingly faced with the present’s demands.
“We have agreed that we will initially rely on voluntarism—a service that is initially voluntary and intended to encourage young people to serve their country.” – Boris Pistorius.
Ultimately, Pistorius has proposed a phased approach but left the door open to compulsory enlistment if necessary. With NATO members closely eyeing these developments, Germany’s next steps could signal broader shifts in European defense practices amid mounting pressures.
