The shift in its approach to its military follows a push to create Europe's strongest conventional army.

Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to introduce voluntary military service, in a move aimed at boosting national defences after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

It marks a significant shift in Germany’s approach to its military and follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s push to create Europe’s strongest conventional army.

The change means that all 18-year-olds in Germany will be sent a questionnaire from January 2026 asking if they are interested and willing to join the armed forces. The form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women.

  • Ziggurat@jlai.luEnglish
    0·
    4 days ago

    Same question as when France did a similar announcement. What is the difference between an enlisted and someone who does a voluntary service. And how to not end up with a bunch of underpaid, and undertrained soldiers replacing regular soldiers? Which sounds like a great way to weaken our defence

    • Humanius@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      3 days ago

      I believe the point is not to replace the existing carreer soldiers, but to train up part of the population to increase the size of your reserve forces.

      That way, if war were to break out, you have a pool of trained civilians to draw from until you finish training your new recruits.