3 weeks ago
15
Germany has agreed to a new form of military service to bolster its armed forces amid heightened tensions with Russia. It comes after months of debate between the NATO nation’s coalition over the future of national service.
The move will likely raise further questions in the UK over whether Britain should adopt a similar approach at a critical time for defence. Under the plans, from next year all 18-year-old men will be called up for medical examinations to assess their ability to serve. They will also be required to fill out a questionnaire, querying them about their willingness to serve, as well as details on their physical and mental health.
Women aged 18 will also receive the questionnaire but are not required to respond.
After filling out the form, all men will have to attend a medical — even if they are unwilling to serve.
The new model stops short of reintroducing the compulsory military service which ended in 2011 as it aims to only recruit those who sign up voluntarily.
However, if the voluntary enlistment target is not met, people could be selected at random for compulsory service.
This was described as a “last resort” by the coalition government in Berlin.
It comes as Germany looks to significantly increase the size of its forces, known as the Bundeswehr, from 182,000 to 260,000 by 2035.
There are also plans to grow its reservists by around 140,000 to 200,000.
To encourage volunteers to come forward, the plans include incentives like subsidies to make it cheaper to gain a driving licence after a year of service.
There will also be a competitive salary, with a monthly pay packet of £2,293 (2600 euros) offered to those who volunteer.
German defence minister Boris Pistorius said he is “very confident” the plan, set to come into force from January 2026, will work out.
He said: "Other European countries, especially in the north, show that the principle of voluntary service combined with attractiveness works, and I expect the same here."
In July, Denmark widened its mandatory military service to 18-year-old women in a lottery system.
Lithuania, Sweden and Latvia reintroduced mandatory military service in 2015, 2018 and 2024 respectively, while Poland is working on plans for all men in the country to undergo military training.
The UK has not had military service since 1963 when National Service was scrapped.
However, the issue has grown in recent years amid action taken by fellow NATO allies and increasing concerns over the threat posed by Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
The calls intensified since the then-head of the British Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, last year said the UK should have a “citizen army” to prepare for a large-scale war — although he stopped short of suggesting conscription or mandatory military service.
NATO allies have agreed to raise defence spending to 5% by 2035, with 3.5% going on core defence and 1.5% on “defence-related expenditure”.
English (US) · 