Threat From Russia? Germany May Bring Back Compulsory Military Service By 2027

Last Updated:June 27, 2026, 16:12 IST

Germany may revive conscription as voluntary recruitment lags, Roewekamp warns targets for expanding the army amid security concerns may be unreachable without mandatory service.

Germany may have to bring back compulsory military service if efforts to expand its armed forces through voluntary enlistment fail, according to a senior lawmaker overseeing defence matters.

Berlin aims to increase the size of its military from about 185,000 personnel to at least 260,000 by 2035 amid security concerns linked to Russia and uncertainty over future US commitments. In November, the government introduced a voluntary service programme and made registration mandatory for 18-year-old men.

Volunteer Recruitment Falls Short

However, only 530 recruits joined between January and May despite around 300,000 young people being approached.

If Germany cannot reach its targets through the voluntary system, “we will have to return to conscription", said conservative MP Thomas Roewekamp, chairman of the German parliament’s defence committee, AFP reported.

“We must take that decision by July 31 of next year," he said.

Security Concerns Drive Army Expansion

Roewekamp stressed that a review of the programme’s effectiveness would be necessary in the first half of 2027. “In the first half of next year… we will need to have a very fundamental discussion about whether we can achieve the very ambitious growth requirements for active forces and reservists on a voluntary basis," he said, adding, “I still have serious doubts that we can."

Under a potential conscription model, not all men turning 18 each year—estimated at around 350,000—would be drafted. Instead, recruitment numbers would depend on the military’s annual needs.

“My great concern is the growth in the number of career and contracted soldiers — because they are the ones who fly the fighter jets, navigate the ships, operate the tanks and man the Patriot air defence systems," Roewekamp said.

The compulsory military service in the country was suspended in 2011. Acknowledging recent protests against mandatory service, he said, “That is why I strongly advocate that we talk with this generation, not just about them," while reiterating warnings that Russia could be in a position to attack a NATO member by 2029.

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Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish...Read More

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