In response to the growing military threat from Russia and the new NATO defense goals, the German government has announced the plans of a large -scale increase in the number of armed forces. According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the Bundesver needs between 50,000 and 60,000 additional servicemen.
To date, the number of the German army is approximately 200,000 people. In the case of a new strategy, the number of personnel can increase to 250 000-260,000. The main purpose of such a step is to strengthen the country's defense capability and the ability to perform new responsibilities within the framework of NATO collective security.
Pistorius acknowledged that the implementation of this plan would be a serious challenge. After the cancellation of compulsory military service in 2011, the army is experiencing a significant personnel deficit - about 20,000 people. In addition, there is an infrastructure problem: barracks, training centers and instructor composition are not ready to receive a large number of recruits.
The minister did not exclude the return to compulsory military duty, but now he said, the main focus is on voluntary service. He stressed that the army should become an attractive employer for young people - both men and women.
"Until we have such opportunities, we will have a voluntary service - and perhaps even more if we are an attractive employer," Pistorius said.
The German government has hope for long -term reforms in the Armed Forces and seeks to adapt to the new security realities of Europe, where the Kremlin's policy is called a key factor in threat.
