German military ramping up recruitment – defense ministry

The German armed forces have reported a 28% increase in new recruits from January to late July compared to the same period last year. Moscow has repeatedly criticized NATO for moving towards what it calls “reckless militarization.” 

According to the German Defense Ministry, more than 13,700 people joined the Bundeswehr – the army, air force, navy, and other branches – since the start of 2025. Officials described it as the sharpest year-on-year rise in years, aimed at countering what Berlin describes as the “threat” from Russia. Moscow has dismissed speculation it plans to attack NATO countries as “nonsense”

At present, the Bundeswehr counts around 182,000 active-duty soldiers and 81,000 civilian staff. However, the government wants to have 260,000 active duty troops by 2035.

The reported rise in new recruits comes after senior German officials said that they could reintroduce conscription, which was abolished in 2011, as early as next year if the stream of volunteers is not enough to fill the ranks. The gap in recruitment has been caused by several factors, including an aging population, a strong job market, and a decline in the public perception of military service.

The year 2023 saw a 7% decline in enlistment, prompting some German politicians to say the goal of 260,000 active troops is unrealistic. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has nevertheless pledged to create Europe’s “strongest conventional army” and increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2029.

In June, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned NATO’s military buildup, accusing the bloc’s European members of “firmly following the path of reckless militarization.” He also said that “Germany is actively participating in whipping up hysterical Russophobia across the European continent,” adding that “It is clearly not in the interest of the peoples of Europe.”