Media: Germany eyes voluntary military service to bolster defence amid Russian threat

Germany is preparing to launch a voluntary six-month military service scheme in a bid to boost its armed forces and strengthen national defences amid growing security concerns over Russia, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The initiative, which is expected to be unveiled by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in the coming weeks, aims to attract volunteers to perform basic military tasks such as guard duties, Caliber.Az reports.

However, officials are also considering the possibility of reintroducing compulsory conscription if volunteer numbers fall short.

The move comes as NATO member states, particularly in Europe, face mounting pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump to take greater responsibility for their own security in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Germany currently has around 180,000 active soldiers. Under the new plan, Pistorius wants to increase that figure to 260,000.

The voluntary scheme is also designed to double the number of trained reservists from around 100,000 to 200,000, with hopes that some participants may eventually pursue careers in the armed forces.

Participants will be offered options to extend their service by acquiring specialist skills, including truck driving or training as tank operators. New barracks will be set up in regional areas to allow recruits to train closer to home, according to the sources.

The defence ministry declined to comment when approached by Reuters.

Pistorius is reportedly seeking to have the legislation approved by the end of August, with the first wave of recruits expected to begin training in May 2026.

Nevertheless, questions remain over the scheme’s viability. It is still unclear who might be subject to conscription should voluntary numbers fail to meet expectations. The idea of reinstating compulsory service is contentious, even within Pistorius’ own Social Democratic Party.

Germany scrapped its previous national service programme in 2011. But with diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine showing little progress—and with Trump claiming on Thursday that talks with Vladimir Putin had stalled—Berlin’s defence policy is once again under scrutiny.

Russian officials, meanwhile, have accused Western governments of exaggerating a "fabricated Russian threat" as a pretext for ramping up defence budgets.

By Aghakazim Guliyev