Defense Minister Boris Pistorius believes that the current number of soldiers in the German Armed Forces is insufficient if Germany wants to implement future NATO plans. According to him, up to 60,000 additional soldiers are needed in active forces.
He said this in Brussels before a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Spiegel reports.
"We assume - but this is only an approximate number, so that it is clear - that we need about 50,000 to 60,000 more soldiers than today. And at the same time, of course, the question will arise: will the new military service be enough for the coming years?" said Pistorius.
It is indicated that this calculation is aimed at new NATO requirements that are to be approved in Brussels: NATO wants to significantly expand its military capabilities for deterrence and defense in view of the constant threat from russia.
Secretary General Mark Rutte said in Brussels the day before: "We need more resources, troops and capabilities to be ready for any threat and to fully implement our collective defense plans."
It is noted that the highest priority is air and missile defense, long-range weapons systems, logistics and large land forces.
In the German Armed Forces, the number of soldiers decreased again slightly last year, despite an increase in recruitment, and the average age has increased. According to the German Defense Ministry, there were around 181,150 soldiers in the Armed Forces at the end of 2024. A year earlier, as of December 31, 2023, there were around 181,500 men and women in uniform in the Armed Forces. The most recent stated goal was 203,000 active soldiers.
A year ago, Pistorius presented his model for a new military service, including figures for the need for soldiers in the regular and reserve forces. He gave a total of about 460,000 soldiers: 203,000 men and women in the regular armed forces, 60,000 existing reservists, and 200,000 additional reservists who are now needed.
Military planners assume that the upper limit of 460,000 will remain unchanged, but significantly more active soldiers and perhaps fewer reservists will be planned.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that NATO allies cannot rely on the United States for defense and must step up their own efforts.
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