Germany must medically screen all young men to ensure rapid mobilisation in a national emergency, Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer has warned, as Berlin moves toward reintroducing military service amid heightened fears of conflict with Russia.
Breuer told RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) that a lottery-based draft would leave the armed forces unsure who is fit to serve.
“It is crucial that the entire age group is examined. Only then do we know who is available in the event of a national emergency—which, of course, we want to prevent.”
A new military service law is due to take effect on January 1st. The government plans to rely first on volunteers, though mandatory service could follow if too few step forward. Breuer said the Bundeswehr should prioritise those “particularly qualified and motivated” if conscription is triggered.
The proposal has divided the CDU/CSU–SPD coalition. Some lawmakers favour a lottery to determine who serves if volunteer numbers fall short; others argue the state must first identify who is medically fit before selecting recruits.
Thomas Röwekamp, chairman of the Bundestag Defence Committee, also supports medical screening for all young men.
“If we take our defence capabilities seriously, there is no alternative. We can only strengthen the armed forces if we know what personnel potential we have.”
He noted that raising the Bundeswehr from 180,000 to 260,000 personnel requires not only knowing who is fit to serve but also clear rules for who is called up.
Military historian Sönke Neitzel, who will address the committee on November 10th, expects conscription to return but not during the current legislative period. He has accused the SPD of slowing reform, calling that stance a security risk.
Asked whether Germany is preparing for war, Neitzel said the more realistic threat is a sudden conventional strike.
“We’re not talking about World War III, but about the possibility of a Russian force—perhaps 100,000 troops—seizing territory in a fait accompli.”
He argued that some form of selective conscription is ultimately unavoidable.
