Germany is considering the reinstatement of compulsory military service if its new volunteer system fails to achieve recruitment targets. This statement was made by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in an interview published in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung on Saturday.

Pistorius discussed a timeline for Germany’s revamped military service model aimed at strengthening the country's currently understrength army. The initial phase of the program will focus on voluntary enlistment; however, he indicated that if the number of voluntary recruits does not meet expectations, the government may consider making military service mandatory in the future. “If the time comes when we have more capacity available than voluntary registrations, then a decision may be made to make recruitment mandatory. That is the roadmap,” he explained.

The Minister emphasized the government's determination to move quickly on a new military service bill, which is anticipated to be enacted as early as January 2026 under Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s administration. The proposal comes in response to increasing concerns regarding national defense readiness amid evolving security threats across Europe.

Since the suspension of the military draft in 2011, Germany has faced challenges in recruiting enough troops to meet its defense requirements, especially following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In light of these growing defense demands, Pistorius noted that the new military service structure will also seek to reactivate additional reservists to bolster troop numbers.

The ongoing debate over the potential reinstatement of conscription in Germany reflects heightened anxieties about the country's military preparedness, showcasing the broader context of security concerns in Europe. With the international landscape shifting dramatically, the German government is under pressure to enhance its defense capabilities and ensure that its military is adequately equipped to respond to contemporary threats.