Reuters: Germany to boost military by 100,000 troops to fulfil NATO readiness targets

Germany's military requires an additional 100,000 active-duty personnel to meet new NATO readiness targets aimed at enhancing defence preparedness amid rising Russian threats, according to a confidential report obtained by Reuters on September 11.

In a letter dated September 2, addressed to Carsten Breuer, the head of the German defence staff, Army Chief Alfons Mais outlined the need for an immediate expansion of personnel to meet NATO's expectations. He emphasised that the army must be combat-ready by 2029 and fulfil Germany's NATO commitments by 2035.

With the current personnel structure, which includes 62,000 active troops and 37,000 reserves, Mais asserted that it would be impossible to achieve the required defence capabilities. He urged a significant personnel increase to address the growing regional security challenges, particularly the rising threat of Russian aggression.

Germany has already made strides to bolster its defence posture in Eastern Europe. Notably, the country has established a German brigade in Lithuania, which will consist of around 5,000 troops. Additionally, Germany has deployed naval patrols in the Baltic Sea to counter the risk of undersea sabotage.

Mais's proposal outlines a two-stage troop expansion. By 2029, he called for an increase of approximately 45,000 active-duty personnel to meet the readiness requirements set by NATO. This increase aligns with expectations that Russia could be capable of launching a large-scale attack on Western allies by that time. Moscow has repeatedly denied any intention to attack NATO or its members, but the risk continues to shape the alliance's defence strategies.

In addition to the 2029 goal, Mais projected a further requirement for 45,000 active troops by 2035 to meet NATO's long-term targets, which were adjusted following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These additional forces would help Germany prepare for a prolonged war of attrition, similar to the conflict in Ukraine, and would also reinforce the country's territorial defence capabilities. Mais further suggested the recruitment of around 10,000 extra personnel specifically for territorial defence.

The report highlighted that Germany's total military personnel requirement could rise to approximately 460,000, with about 260,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists. This projection reflects the heightened security environment in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In June, Germany's Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, announced that the Bundeswehr would need up to 60,000 additional active troops across all branches of the military to meet NATO's enhanced readiness targets. The goal would raise Germany’s armed forces to about 260,000 personnel in total.

However, despite these plans, Germany has struggled to meet its existing staffing targets. The Bundeswehr is still working to reach the 203,000-strong military force set by 2018, and remains short of approximately 20,000 troops, according to ministry data.

By Tamilla Hasanova