German Military Faces Severe Personnel and Infrastructure Challenges
Bundestag and defense leaders call for urgent action on conscription, recruitment, and modernization as Bundeswehr struggles with aging workforce and resource deficits.
- The Bundeswehr is grappling with significant personnel shortages, with the active soldier count stagnating at approximately 181,000 and an aging average age of 34 years.
- Wehrbeauftragte Eva Högl urged the next Bundestag to prioritize discussions on reinstating conscription and mandatory social service to address recruitment gaps.
- The Bundeswehr requires an additional 40,000 soldiers for the army alone, with a long-term goal of reaching 460,000 personnel, including reservists, according to Generalinspekteur Carsten Breuer.
- Infrastructure remains a critical issue, with outdated facilities and a €67 billion investment backlog hindering operational efficiency and modernization efforts.
- Reports highlight ongoing issues including sexual harassment, extremism investigations, and bureaucratic inefficiencies, further complicating efforts to improve the military's readiness and appeal.
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