Overview

• After a cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry, Chancellor Friedrich Merz framed the reform as a response to Russia and a signal of reliability to NATO allies.
• The proposal centers on voluntary service but allows compulsory measures in limited form if recruitment goals are not reached.
• Officials aim to grow the Bundeswehr toward roughly 260,000 troops from about 182,000, train more than 100,000 new conscripts by decade’s end, and expand the reserve to around 200,000.
• Measures to boost interest include a youth questionnaire next year—mandatory for men and optional for women—higher pay of about €2,300 net, and expanded training such as drones.
• A brief objection from Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was withdrawn after talks, CDU/CSU figures seek binding annual targets, and the government also announced a National Security Council as training capacity constraints persist.