Germany could reintroduce compulsory military service in mid-2027 if voluntary conscription fails to meet ambitious troop growth targets as the country faces growing threats from Russia and an unpredictable United States, a senior lawmaker has warned.The government launched a new voluntary military service model in November, making registration mandatory for 18-year-old males. However, from January to May, the program recruited only 530 new staff despite reaching approximately 300,000 young people.Thomas Lowekamp, chairman of the German parliament’s defense committee, said that if Germany cannot achieve its goals through a voluntary system, “we will have to return to conscription.” “We have until July 31 next year to make a decision.”
Recruitment shortage fuels stress
Germany has pledged to increase its military strength to at least 260,000 by 2035 from the current 185,000. A mandatory questionnaire asking men aged 18 and over to provide information about their willingness to serve has been sent out to potential recruits.Compulsory medical examinations for 18-year-old males are also expected to begin by mid-2027.Loewekamp, chairman of the German parliament’s defense committee, said he still had “serious doubts” that voluntary recruitment alone could achieve the goal. “My biggest concern is the growth in the number of career soldiers and contract soldiers because they are the ones who fly fighter jets, fly ships, operate tanks and operate Patriot air defense systems,” he said.
generational divide
The debate exposed a clear generational divide. A recent survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations found net opposition to compulsory military service among 18- to 29-year-olds at 46 percent, while every older age group expressed overall support.Bella Breitner, a youth activist and spokesperson for the School Strikes Against Conscription campaign, said the government’s military expansion plans were fueling fears among Germany’s young people that the country was moving toward deeper militarization.“We decided this was not something we were interested in,” Breitner said, adding that the group had organized three days of strikes that had attracted about 50,000 people each day.
Safety issues spark debate
Lowekamp said Germany must urgently rearm independently of the United States, partly because of Trump’s plans to reduce troop presence in Europe, but also because Washington cannot reliably supply European troops amid recurring international crises.He said Europe must develop its military capabilities based on actual needs rather than industrial interests.European governments are facing growing pressure to build up their military and increase defense spending amid wars in Russia and Ukraine and uncertainty about the future of U.S. security in Europe.Germany suspended compulsory military service in 2011, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and renewed doubts about Washington’s role in European security have put the issue back on the political agenda.
