Overview
- The draft establishes a six-month voluntary service with more attractive pay, training options and flexible short-term commitments.
- Recruitment targets start at 20,000 in 2026 and rise to 38,000 by 2030, with conscription possible by parliamentary decision if goals are not met.
- Beginning next year, all 18-year-olds will receive questionnaires on willingness and capacity to serve, and medical exams become mandatory for young men from mid-2027.
- Defense Minister Boris Pistorius cites Russia’s aggression as the driver for growth and says limited barracks and trainers prevent an immediate universal draft.
- The Bundeswehr reports a 28% increase in new recruits to more than 13,700 between January and July, while conservatives push for an automatic trigger for compulsory service.