As early as 2027: Germany may introduce mandatory military conscription
28 June 02:18
German authorities are considering a return to mandatory military service for all men as early as 2027, as the Bundeswehr fears it will be unable to recruit the necessary number of volunteers amid the Russian threat. This was reported by The Telegraph, citing Thomas Revekamp (CDU), chairman of the parliamentary defense committee, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to Revekamp, a decision must be made by July 31, 2027.
“If we are unable to achieve these goals through voluntary mobilization, we will have to return to mandatory military service,” Revekamp said.
Germany abolished compulsory conscription in 2011, but following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the country’s defense policy has changed dramatically. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to build the strongest ground forces in Europe by increasing the size of the Bundeswehr from 185,000 to 260,000 service members by 2035.
However, according to Revekamp, it will be very difficult to achieve these targets relying solely on volunteers.
“We need to have a very serious discussion about whether we can achieve such ambitious goals for increasing the number of active-duty troops and reservists on a voluntary basis. I still have serious doubts,” he noted.
In early 2026, Germany introduced a new model of military service: men of draft age are required to fill out a health questionnaire and undergo a medical examination. The government has reserved the right to introduce mandatory conscription if voluntary enlistment proves insufficient.
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At the same time, plans to require men born in 2008 and older to seek permission to leave the country for more than three months sparked widespread controversy, and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was forced to abandon them. Critics accuse the authorities of treating young people as “cannon fodder,” the publication writes.
Germany is not the only European country increasing its military capabilities. In France, Emmanuel Macron has launched a 10-month voluntary national service program offering a stipend of 10,000 euros, while Poland has begun strengthening its armed forces on NATO’s eastern flank.
Against this backdrop, warnings about a potential Russian threat are growing louder in Europe: according to a number of European officials, the Kremlin may see an opportune moment for a conflict with NATO within the next 12 months.
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