Germany weighs return to conscription amid security concerns
The German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, has announced the potential reinstatement of mandatory military service if the new voluntary system does not meet recruitment expectations.
What do you need to know?
- New model of military service: Germany plans to introduce a modernised voluntary system to expand the army.
- Possibility of mandatory conscription: If voluntary enlistment fails to produce the desired results, the government will contemplate reinstating mandatory conscription.
- Planned changes: The new military service law could come into effect as early as January 2026.
The German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, detailed the timeline for the new military service model in an interview with "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung". The goal is to expand the army through voluntary enlistment. However, Pistorius stressed that if this system does not meet expectations, mandatory conscription may be reinstated.
"If the time comes when voluntary enrolment is insufficient, then a decision may be made to implement mandatory conscription. That is the roadmap," he emphasised in an interview with the German press.
Germany considers mandatory conscription
The debate over the reinstatement of conscription, which was suspended in 2011, has intensified due to concerns about the country's defensive readiness. This concern is further influenced by evolving security threats in Europe, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government is actively working on a new bill, which is planned to take effect in January 2026.
Minister Pistorius highlighted that the new model of military service will also focus on engaging a larger number of reservists.
