Berlin Eyes Return to Compulsory Service as Voluntary Military Enlistment Stalls
Parliamentary Commissioner Henning Otte has identified personnel as the Bundeswehr’s most ‛acute bottleneck,’ urging a rethink of recruitment strategies.
Parliamentary Commissioner Henning Otte has identified personnel as the Bundeswehr’s most ‛acute bottleneck,’ urging a rethink of recruitment strategies.
Germany’s drive to build Europe’s most formidable conventional army under Chancellor Friedrich Merz is currently stalling at the recruitment office. Despite a significant defense spending spree intended to reverse years of neglect, the Bundeswehr is struggling to find the personnel needed to meet its aggressive expansion targets. The government aims to increase active soldier numbers to 260,000 and double its reserve forces by the mid-2030s, yet the actual growth is being choked by demographic shifts and a competitive labor market.
In his latest annual report, Parliamentary Commissioner Henning Otte offered a sobering assessment of the situation, noting that “personnel remains the armed forces’ most acute bottleneck.” Although the military saw a modest increase of 3,000 soldiers by the end of 2025, high dropout rates and a lack of interest among the youth persist. The report warns that “political ambition risks outpacing military reality.”
While Berlin has launched a voluntary conscription scheme—primarily involving a questionnaire for 18-year-olds—officials are already looking at more drastic measures.
Otte was clear in his conclusion: if the voluntary approach fails to attract the necessary numbers, the government will likely be forced to reinstate compulsory military service to ensure national and regional security.
