Germany backs NATO military expansion while battling troop shortage
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday that Germany supports NATO's large-scale military expansion plan
- BERLIN — German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday that
Germany supports NATO's large-scale military expansion plan, which is expected
to be approved during the alliance's defence ministers' meeting in Brussels.
However, the country is currently grappling with a significant shortage of
troops.
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- To meet the increased defence requirements under the
plan, the German Bundeswehr will need to add 60,000 active-duty soldiers,
Pistorius told the media ahead of the meeting. "Given Germany's size and
economic strength, we will shoulder a significant part of NATO's military
build-up," he said. "As the alliance's traditional second-largest
military force, we are continuing in that role."
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- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasised on Wednesday
that the alliance needs "more resources, troops, and capabilities" to
fully implement collective defence strategies and respond to any threat. He
highlighted air and missile defence, long-range weapons systems, logistics, and
large land force formations as top priorities.
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- However, Germany continues to face a persistent shortage
of military personnel. Despite intensified recruitment efforts, the Bundeswehr
saw a further decline in troop numbers last year, while the average age of
soldiers continued to rise. According to the defence ministry, the total number
of military personnel stood at approximately 181,000 by the end of 2024.
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- Previously, Pistorius outlined a goal of expanding
Germany's total military force to around 460,000, including 203,000 active-duty
troops, 60,000 current reservists, and an additional 200,000 new reservists. He
has since announced plans to "establish and fully equip new large military
formations."
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- To support this expansion, German President Frank-Walter
Steinmeier signed a constitutional amendment in March to relax the country's
so-called "debt brake," allowing greater government borrowing for
defense and infrastructure investment. The move aims to bolster Germany's role
in European security, Xinhua news agency reported.
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- On the question of reinstating compulsory military
service, Pistorius acknowledged that Germany currently lacks sufficient
training and accommodation capacity. As a result, the country will maintain its
voluntary military service system in the near term while gradually expanding
capabilities.
