A significant surge in recruitment is bolstering the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces), reaching levels unseen in years, even before the planned new conscription system comes into effect in 2026. Internal data from the Defense Ministry, reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, reveals a 28% increase in military hires between January and July 22nd, totaling 13,739 personnel. This strong showing indicates that the annual target of 20,000 military hires for the current year is likely to be exceeded.
Overall personnel numbers within the Bundeswehr, encompassing professional soldiers, temporary soldiers and voluntary service participants, saw a modest increase of 1%, reaching 183,000. The majority of the recruitment boost is driven by voluntary service participants. The number of individuals engaged in this voluntary service has grown by 15%, reaching 11,400 – the highest figure in a decade. Particularly notable increases were recorded within the ranks of enlisted personnel (a 38% increase) and non-commissioned officers (a 41% increase).
The heightened interest in joining the Bundeswehr is also reflected in the rising number of initial consultations, which increased to 60,589 – an 11% rise – alongside an 8% increase in applications, totaling roughly 36,000. State Secretary Nils Hilmer, who previously worked alongside Minister Boris Pistorius in the Lower Saxony Interior Ministry, has actively focused on enhancing the appeal of military service and promoting recruitment.
The future impact of the upcoming new conscription system remains a crucial question. The model is slated for approval by the Federal Cabinet on August 27th and is planned to take effect at the beginning of 2026, if possible. The goal is to attract up to 15,000 new conscripts annually and to increase the total number of military hires to 25,000 per year. The existing voluntary service framework will be phased out under this new model. Amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions, the overall strength of the Bundeswehr aims to reach approximately 260,000 personnel in the coming years, with a concurrent expansion of the reserves to 200,000, partially facilitated by the introduction of conscription.
