The German cabinet has approved a bill on the introduction of voluntary military service to strengthen national defense due to the aggressive policy of the aggressor country of russia. This was reported by Reuters on Wednesday, August 27.
The Defense Ministry hopes to double the number of trained reservists from the current level of 100,000. The department also expects that some volunteers will continue their careers in the service. The German Defense Ministry plans to increase the number from 20,000 in 2026 to 38,000 in 2030.
"The Bundeswehr must grow. The international security situation, above all russia's aggressive position, makes this necessary," Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.
The current bill requires all young men to complete an online questionnaire about their readiness and ability for military service after turning 18 to get a better idea of the potential workforce. If voluntary conscription fails to meet its goals, the government could instead decide to reinstate compulsory military service. Minister Boris Pistorius wants to increase the number of soldiers in service, strengthening Germany's defense.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, Germany plans to triple its defense budget and tap defense startups with advanced technologies to strengthen the army amid the threat of aggressor russia and the war in Ukraine.
In June, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) decided on the largest rearmament program since the Cold War.
In April, Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer stated that the German army should be rearmed by 2029, as it is at this time that the aggressor country Russia will be able to attack a NATO country.
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