• Germany's army chief has outlined a plan to expand the active-duty force from 62,000 to approximately 160,000 soldiers.
  • The buildup, detailed in a confidential document, is part of the largest military reform in decades, backed by a surge in defense spending.
  • New legislation is being pursued to boost voluntary recruitment, with provisions for possible mandatory service if targets are not met.

Germany is embarking on a historic military expansion, with the army aiming to recruit around 100,000 new active soldiers over the next decade, according to a confidential document from the country's army chief. The plan would see the Bundeswehr's active troop count swell from its current level of approximately 62,000 to about 160,000, a massive undertaking that signals a fundamental shift in the nation's postwar defense posture.

The effort to restructure its armed forces is a direct response to heightened security concerns in Europe, particularly the threat posed by Russia. The confidential briefing, which outlines the scale of the challenge, is part of a broader push to transform the Bundeswehr into what officials hope will be Europe’s most powerful conventional army by 2035. The entire regular force is targeted to reach 260,000 personnel, supported by approximately 200,000 reservists.

This expansion is being fast-tracked with significant financial backing. The cabinet plans to more than double military expenditure to $187 billion by 2029, moving ahead of NATO’s 3.5% of GDP spending target set for 2035. This financial commitment underscores the urgency Berlin attaches to the modernization drive, which includes over 60 major defense procurement contracts. These planned acquisitions range from 20 new Eurofighter jets to thousands of new armored vehicles, including Boxer and Patria models, and next-generation drones.

However, the sheer scale of recruitment presents a formidable hurdle. To meet its targets, the government is pursuing the Military Service Modernization Act. The new law would initiate questionnaire-based outreach to 18-year-old citizens, with returns mandatory for men and optional for women. A key provision allows for the possible reinstatement of mandatory service if voluntary recruitment falls short, a move that has already sparked domestic debate over the legacy of Germany’s WWII-era militarism.

“The perception of security in Europe has fundamentally changed,” a person familiar with the defense ministry’s planning said, noting that the reforms are explicitly aimed at reducing Europe's dependence on US military support. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for the army chief after hours were not immediately successful.

The planned buildup is expected to provide a substantial boost to the domestic and European defense industry, with major contracts likely to be announced in the coming months. Yet, analysts point to significant challenges beyond funding, including integrating such a large number of new recruits and maintaining long-term public and political support for such a dramatic policy reversal.