German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on November 7 that the Bundeswehr should meet its personnel plan even without reintroducing mandatory military service. The armed forces currently have approximately 190,000 soldiers, the highest number in the past 13 years. Spiegel.de ↗
According to available statements, Pistorius currently does not expect a return to mandatory military service. In his view, the positive development in personnel numbers suggests that the army can secure the necessary numbers through voluntary recruitment and by continuing the current trend. Tagesschau ↗
The minister also emphasized the importance of a strong Bundeswehr. Germany has recently been discussing options for further expanding its armed forces, with the issue of conscription drawing public interest as well as resistance from part of the young population. The possible reintroduction of mandatory military service brought tens of thousands of young people out to protest. n-tv ↗
However, Pistorius stated that if the growth in Bundeswehr personnel numbers continues, there will be no need for further discussion about conscription. The defense minister is thus continuing to rely on a solution based on voluntary recruitment. Welt ↗
Further developments will depend on whether the army manages to sustain the current growth and cover its personnel needs in the long term. If recruitment were to deteriorate, the issue of mandatory service could once again move to the center of German security policy.
Pistorius does not expect return of mandatory military service in Germany
On Record
Boris Pistorius
nemecký minister obrany
30.06.2026
„By adding another highly capable headquarters to NATO’s eastern flank, we improve our readiness, enhance our command-and-control structures and reinforce our ability to deter any potential adversary."
Pri odovzdaní velenia 1. nemecko-holandského zboru v estónskej Valge.
This summary was generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies. Please verify information in the original sources below.
Sources (5)
Bundeswehr: Personalbedarf kann laut Pistorius voraussichtlich auch ohne Wehrpflicht gedeckt werden
Spiegel.de
| 08:05 07.11.
Pistorius rechnet derzeit nicht mit Rückkehr zur Wehrpflicht
Tagesschau
| 08:02 07.11.
Bundeswehr auf Wachstumskurs: Pistorius: Wehrpflicht muss voraussichtlich nicht sein
n-tv
| 04:56 07.11.
„Keine Aufwuchsprobleme“ – Bundeswehr kann Personalbedarf wohl ohne Wehrpflicht decken
Welt
| 04:35 07.11.
Soldatinnen und Soldaten - Pistorius rechnet nicht mit Rückkehr zur Wehrpflicht: Bundeswehr kann Personalbedarf auch so decken
Deutschlandfunk
| 01:46 07.11.
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