Germany could reintroduce compulsory military service by mid-2027 if voluntary conscription fails to meet ambitious military targets, a senior lawmaker has warned, as the country faces a growing threat from Russia and an unpredictable United States.
The government introduced a new voluntary military service model in November with mandatory registration for 18-year-old males. However, between January and May, the scheme resulted in only 530 new recruitments, while approximately 300,000 young people were contacted.
Thomas Rovekamp, chairman of the German parliament’s defence committee, said that if Germany cannot reach its target through the voluntary system, “we will have to return to conscription.” “We have to take this decision by July 31 next year.”
There is pressure of lack of fuel in recruitment
Germany has committed to increasing its army strength to at least 260,000 by 2035 from the current 185,000. A mandatory questionnaire requiring men turning 18 to provide information about their willingness to serve has already begun reaching potential recruits. By mid-2027, mandatory physical examinations for 18-year-old males are also expected to begin.
Rovekamp, chairman of the German parliament’s defence committee, said he still had “serious doubts” that voluntary conscription alone could meet the goals. He said, “My big concern is the increase in the number of career and contract soldiers, because they are the ones who fly fighter jets, pilot ships, drive tanks and manage Patriot air defence systems.”
generational divide
The debate has exposed generational divisions. A recent survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations found a net opposition rate of 46 per cent to mandatory military service among 18- to 29-year-olds, while every older age group expressed overall support.
Bella Breitner, spokeswoman for the School Strike Against Conscription movement and a youth activist, said the government’s military expansion plans are creating fear among young Germans that the country is moving toward deeper militarisation.
“We don’t think we have any interest in it,” Breitner said. He said the group has organised three strike days, each of which was attended by about 50,000 people.
Security concerns prompt debate
Rovekamp said Germany must urgently arm itself independently of the United States, partly because of Trump’s plan to reduce troops in Europe, but also because Washington has not been able to reliably supply European armies amid repeated international crises.
He said that Europe should develop its military capabilities based on real needs rather than industrial interests.
European governments are under increasing pressure to expand their armies and increase defence spending amid uncertainty over the Russia-Ukraine war and the future of US security guarantees in Europe.
Germany suspended mandatory military service in 2011, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and renewed doubts about Washington’s role in European security have pushed the issue back onto the political agenda.
