Germany Weighs Reviving Military Conscription Amid Defense Challenges

Debate reignites over mandatory service as Bundeswehr faces personnel shortages and NATO commitments under shifting geopolitical conditions.

Germany's Bundeswehr struggles with a personnel shortfall, falling short of its target of 203,000 soldiers, with current numbers at approximately 180,000.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has proposed a model inspired by Sweden, which would involve selective conscription based on aptitude and willingness, but he opposes a rapid reinstatement of traditional conscription due to infrastructure and resource constraints.
Experts and politicians from the CDU and SPD discuss alternatives, including a universal service year for men and women, but constitutional changes would be required to implement such measures.
The Bundeswehr also faces significant gaps in equipment, including cyber defense, artillery, and satellite systems, prompting calls for increased defense spending beyond the existing €100 billion special fund.
The debate is intensified by concerns over reduced U.S. military support for Europe under President Donald Trump, highlighting the need for a more self-reliant European defense strategy.