Germany’s Cabinet Approves Voluntary Military Service Plan to Boost Numbers

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said ‘Russia’s aggressive posture’ made it necessary to boost the German army, or Bundeswehr.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a ceremony to address members of Germany's 45th Armored Brigade (Panzerbrigade 45) of the Bundeswehr at a ceremonial roll call in Vilnius, Lithuania, on May 22, 2025. Paulius Peleckis/Getty Images

The German Cabinet approved plans on Aug. 27 for a new voluntary military service system, in an attempt to boost numbers in the armed forces, and has laid the ground for reintroducing conscription.

The draft bill would introduce a new form of voluntary military service, but the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that if it failed to meet recruitment targets, conscription could be reintroduced.