Russia Threat Could Force Germany to Bring Back Mandatory Military Service.

Germany Weighs Reinstating Conscription

According to Espreso.tv: Thomas Röwekamp, head of the Bundestag’s defense committee, has suggested that Germany may need to reintroduce compulsory military service due to the threat posed by Russia, which could attack NATO countries by 2029. Röwekamp stated:

“If we fail to meet these goals through voluntary enlistment, we will be forced to return to mandatory conscription.” - Thomas Röwekamp

He also expressed doubts about the effectiveness of a volunteer-based approach in achieving the required troop numbers, saying: “I have serious doubts that the voluntary approach can deliver the necessary figures.”

Current State of Military Service in Germany

Germany abolished compulsory military service in 2011. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to expand the Bundeswehr from 185,000 to 260,000 troops by 2035. In April of this year, Germany enacted a law requiring military registration, which mandates that men of draft age complete a questionnaire and undergo a medical examination. However, plans to require men born after 2008 to seek Bundeswehr permission before traveling abroad were scrapped.

Additionally, the Bundeswehr aims to recruit 20,000 volunteers in 2023. Other NATO countries are also taking steps to bolster military readiness, including:

• France launched a voluntary national service program lasting 10 months, with a payout of 10,000 euros.
• Poland started a program to train 400,000 reservists by the end of 2026.

The threat from Russia is a key factor driving changes in Germany’s military policy. Amid rising tensions with Moscow, Berlin is reassessing its defense strategy, which could signal a shift in the country’s strategic direction. Reinstating conscription may be a response to the need for a larger military force in the face of potential danger. This also underscores NATO’s need to adapt its security approaches to new challenges.