Bundeswehr: New military service on the way – Pistorius: “Giant step”

New military service, security council, military security: The cabinet has approved a legislative package to strengthen the Bundeswehr and relies on mandatory military recording and patterns of young men, but voluntariness on duty. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) described the draft law for the introduction of a new military service as “giant step forward”. If the Bundestag agrees, the law should come into force on January 1, 2026.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said after the cabinet meeting, which for the first time in 19 years in the Ministry of Defense took place in a neglected space that he was confident that the number of necessary volunteers could be achieved.

He also referred to the possibility of mandatory use provided in the draft law in the event that not enough volunteers can be obtained. “We are back on the way to a fortified man,” said Merz. This is a good development that he expressly greet. He also referred to the threat of Russia.

From 2027 the mandatory patterns come

For young men from the 2008 vintage, the plans mean some changes: From January 1st next year, they must provide information in a questionnaire whether they are capable of military service and willing. This is part of the military recording. Young women can fill out the questionnaires, but are not obliged to do so.

First of all, only a selection of the year for an “assessment” – an assessment – is invited. “It is also planned that the pattern for men will also be mandatory from July 1, 2027,” said the Ministry of Defense. Limiting factor are initially still capacities for medical examinations and assessments.

The service should be more attractive

From the start of the service, all new military service providers will be appointed to the status of a temporary soldier and can vote for commitment times of 6 to 23 months. “We enable the best possible qualifications, especially with those who stay longer,” promises Pistorius and names language courses, driver’s licenses and IT courses. The soldier will be at 2,300 euros net, with accommodation and medical care free of charge.

Pistorius made it clear that he was convinced of a success of voluntary offers in military service. He referred to rising numbers – before additional incentives work. “We have targeted 15,000 this year and have now reached almost 13,000 in August,” said Pistorius. The aim is to have 30,000 annually by 2029 and then have trained 110,000 military service providers.

Criticism from the Bundeswehr Association

The chairman of the Bundeswehr Association, André Wüstner, complains about defects in the law for the new military service. “The draft law is an improvement compared to the last legislative period, but still falls short in relation to the strategic challenge of personnel recovery and binding,” said Wüstner of the German Press Agency.

The compulsory military service was suspended in 2011, but is still anchored in the Basic Law. It can be reintroduced in the Bundestag with a simple majority and also comes into force when the Bundestag determines the tension or defense case.

According to the new NATO goals, the Bundeswehr must achieve a personnel strength of at least 260,000 men and women in the active group and 200,000 reservists. The new commander-in-chief of NATO troops in Europe (Sacur), four-star general Alexus Grynkewich, also took part as a guest.

The cabinet also put two more projects on the track. Among them is the National Security Council: The Federal Government has decided to set up such a central switching point, which can bring about days and quick decisions, but also develop strategies for threats and concern security. The Federal Chancellor, currently Merz.

According to the cabinet decision, Merz described the committee as a central platform for overarching security questions and important component for a security policy. A national security council had been discussed for 30 years, and now the new federal government has taken the decision after four months.

The ministerial round approved a law to strengthen the Bundeswehr. The Ministry of Defense announced that the course sets essential course to increase military security and better protect the functionality of the Bundeswehr.

It introduces new powers so that the military shielding service (MAD) can effectively perform its tasks, even for troops abroad. In addition, the setting check for soldiers is regulated. Military policemen (“field hunters”) and civilian guards also receive new powers to strengthen military security, even when checking suspicious people.