Germany may reinstate military conscription as early as next year if it fails to attract enough volunteers to its armed forces, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in an interview published Saturday.
The move comes as Germany, a key NATO member, seeks to bolster its military strength following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Bundeswehr has warned that an additional 100,000 troops are needed in the coming years to meet NATO commitments, but recruitment efforts have so far fallen short.
Pistorius, a member of the Social Democrats (SPD), told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS) that the government’s initial approach will focus on voluntary enlistment. However, he did not rule out making service mandatory if recruitment numbers remain insufficient.
"Our model is initially based on voluntary participation," Pistorius said. "If we reach a point where we have more capacity than voluntary registrations, then a decision may be made to make it mandatory."
A new bill introducing conscription could take effect as soon as January 1, 2026, he added.
Germany suspended compulsory military service in 2011, but the conservative-led coalition government has since increased defense spending and signaled openness to reviving the draft.
Andreas Henne, Commander of Germany’s Homeland Security Division, echoed the urgency of bolstering military personnel, telling t-online: "We’ve taken the right path, but we now need to increase the pace—in terms of equipment, infrastructure expansion, and, above all, personnel."
Separately, Pistorius addressed the possibility of German troops participating in potential peacekeeping operations in Ukraine—but only under strict conditions.
Speaking to FAS, he emphasized that any deployment would require an international mandate, likely from NATO, the EU, or the UN, as well as Bundestag approval. A ceasefire would also be a prerequisite.
"Without a mandate, the deployment of German troops on this scale cannot take place," Pistorius said. He added that while discussions are ongoing among allies, there are currently no concrete plans for such a mission.
The minister noted that Russia’s continued aggression indicates Moscow is not seeking peace, making the prospect of peacekeeping efforts unlikely in the near term.
Germany’s potential return to conscription reflects broader European efforts to strengthen defenses amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly with Russia’s war in Ukraine entering its third year.