German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced plans to launch a revamped system of military service within this year, provided he remains in office in the new government. He shared the details in an interview with Spiegel.
According to Pistorius, the corresponding draft legislation is nearly complete and could come into effect as early as 2025. “Our ministry is ready to present the proposal quickly,” he said, noting that the reform will be based on the Swedish model.
Under the proposed system, all men aged 18 will be required to fill out a questionnaire indicating whether they are willing to perform military service. This will be part of a broader military registration process. Based on the responses, the Bundeswehr will then contact suitable individuals and invite them to serve.
The coalition partners — CDU, CSU, and SPD — have agreed that military service should initially remain voluntary.
In March, a report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces highlighted the Bundeswehr’s most pressing issues: a shortage of personnel and a severely outdated logistical and technical infrastructure.
