NATO is reportedly pushing Germany to significantly expand its armed forces.
According to Die Welt, NATO is pressuring Germany to drastically increase its military size, a goal that Berlin officials reportedly deem challenging due to high dropout rates. These discussions, including a US-backed proposal to raise national defense spending to 5% of GDP and increase troop numbers, are expected to be central at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague this July.
Germany faces unique hurdles, including a suggested increase in Bundeswehr personnel to between 240,000 and 260,000 by 2030. This represents a potential rise of up to 80,000 soldiers from the current level of approximately 183,000, Welt reports.
The challenge of expanding the military is compounded by significant dropout rates among new recruits, with up to 30% leaving within the first six months, the paper notes. Contributing factors include demanding training, remote postings, and limited career opportunities, leading many potential soldiers to favor the private sector. Furthermore, some military branches are reportedly hesitant to accept soldiers trained in other divisions.
The German publication also cautioned that the adoption of this new target by the Bundeswehr could reignite the debate on reactivating conscription, potentially making recruitment efforts unpopular.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius indicated on Wednesday that Germany might need to reinstate conscription, which was abolished in 2011, if sufficient volunteers are not found. Additionally, in April, the Interior Ministry proposed incorporating civil defense education into school curricula to prepare students for potential crises and conflicts.
These developments occur amidst claims from several Western officials that Russia might attack NATO within the next few years. Moscow has consistently denied such intentions, dismissing these claims as “nonsense.”
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