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Germany aims to boost Bundeswehr recruit numbers

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Simon Young
August 27, 2025

Against the backdrop of war in Ukraine and simmering conflicts elsewhere, Germany's government is introducing new rules around military service and is even considering reintroducing compulsory service.

Germany is rethinking military service amid rising global tensions. The government plans to reintroduce registration for all 18-year-old men, starting with voluntary sign-ups via an online form. If numbers fall short, mandatory assessments and potential conscription could follow.

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