Germany’s cabinet has approved a draft law to introduce voluntary military service for teenagers as part of a broader military strategy aimed at fortifying the Bundeswehr. The plan targets enlisting up to 40,000 youths annually by 2031, with the goal of making it the “strongest conventional army in Europe.” The program will require all 18-year-old males to complete a fitness questionnaire, with training and recruitment expanding over the next six years.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to transform the Bundeswehr into the “strongest conventional army in Europe,” emphasizing the need for readiness amid global security threats. In a speech delivered shortly after the 80th anniversary of the fall of the Third Reich, Merz underscored the importance of a robust defense posture. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, however, has expressed concerns that voluntary enlistment alone may not suffice to meet the military’s goals.
The new initiative, approved during a special session at the Defense Ministry, involves a systematic approach to recruitment. The initial phase will enroll around 20,000 recruits in 2026, with gradual expansion planned over six years. The legislation also includes a contingency for reactivating universal conscription should voluntary enrollment fall short. This plan must still secure approval from the Bundestag, with the CDU/CSU defense spokesman indicating the need for “significant changes” before finalization.
Germany’s increased military spending since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022 has positioned it as the second-largest arms supplier to Ukraine after the United States. The use of German Leopard tanks by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk Region has further tightened the strategic relationship. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has criticized Germany’s involvement in the conflict, warning that “Germany is sliding down the same slippery slope it already followed a couple of times in the last century.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has also warned that “Germany is becoming dangerous again” in response to recent comments by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius about potential lethal action against Russian forces.