Germany’s coalition government has agreed on a new military service model that begins as a voluntary programme but allows parliament to introduce conscription if recruitment falls short.
German Govt Compromises On Military Draft
by •
Tag: Bundeswehr
Top German General Urges Mandatory Assessment of Young Men for Military Service
by •
The German military’s inspector general, Carsten Breuer, has called for assessing all young men for potential service to ensure readiness in a defence emergency. Supported by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, the plan aligns with a new military service law taking effect on January 01, 2026.
German minister expects challenges to drone defence law
by •
Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned of legal challenges to a bill expanding the Bundeswehr’s role in domestic drone defence after a surge in suspected Russian drone sightings. The plan would strengthen police capabilities and create a joint defence centre, but faces constitutional concerns over military involvement in internal security.
Report: Germany plans large Skyranger air defence order
by •
Germany plans to order over 600 Skyranger air defence systems from Rheinmetall in a deal worth more than €9 billion to strengthen its drone defence. The mobile system, now in testing, can be mounted on Boxer and Leopard 1 vehicles and is designed to counter modern aerial threats, including drone swarms.
Germany clears way to reintroduce military service
by •
The German cabinet approved a bill for setting up a National Security Council and introducing voluntary military service, which could turn into conscription in the absence of sufficient volunteers, of which an initial 15,000 are required with a target of 80,000, whom the government plans to entice with high salaries.
Germany to station Eurofighter jets in Poland
by •
150 German soldiers with five Eurofighter jets began their deployment at the Minsk Mazowiecki military airfield in Poland to monitor its airspace for a few weeks upon its request, while, so far, having performed the same role from Rostock, in north-eastern Germany.
Rheinmetall gets German order for 1300+ military trucks
by •
The new order is for 963 vehicles with swap-body systems, some with protected driver cabins, as well as swap-body flatbeds and tarpaulin-arch superstructures, as well as 425 Unprotected Transport Vehicles (UTV) available in 4×4 and 8×8 versions that are derived from Rheinmetall’s HX vehicle family.
German Patriot systems ready for delivery to Ukraine
by •
Germany’s defence ministry said it is ready to deliver two promised Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine from its inventory of nine systems, with plans to replace them with new orders from the U.S.
Rheinmetall CEO urges quicker Franco-German tank
by •
The Main Ground Combat System project is intended to replace the Leopard 2 battle tank with an identical vehicle hull, but adding a modular system with a more powerful main weapon, an unmanned turret and modern protection systems against drones.
Germany outlines drone and Patriot plan for Ukraine
by •
Germany has promised to supply Ukraine with two Patriot missile systems, purchased from the United States. However, as the systems are not yet available, Germany will hand over two of its nine remaining Patriot systems to Ukraine and later receive replacements from the U.S.
Two Patriot systems are being prepared for Ukraine, says Pistorius
by •
The delivery is to be financed by Germany. However, the final technical, logistical and financial details still need to be clarified, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said after his talks with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying these “appear to be solvable for both of us, so we will get to work quickly,” and underlining Ukraine’s urgent need for additional air defence systems.
German arms firms see orders spike as wars rage
by •
The Ukraine war and expanding global conflict showered a windfall on German arms companies like Rheinmetall and TKMS, with some startups like Helsing becoming the upstarts of the weapons industry, and other legacy companies like Heckler & Koch even experiencing a dramatic reversal of fortunes.
Germany conscription likely after suspension ‘mistake’
by •
As the German Bundeswehr grapples with a shortage of 60,000 soldiers, Chancellor Freidrich Merz said, “We will probably … not be able to manage with the current voluntary system alone, but will need additional elements of compulsory military service.”
Germany needs 60,000 extra troops to meet NATO targets
by •
The Bundeswehr had a strength of 181,150 soldiers at the end of 2024, falling short of previous recruiting targets. NATO member states are to be assigned new national targets for their military capabilities, including weaponry, that are expected to be increased by around 30%.
German auditors warn of ‘unlimited’ debt for defence
by •
Germany’s Federal Court of Audit warned that a ‘signal of unlimited willingness to incur debt’ could lead prices in defence industry to soar, with incentives for industry to charge higher prices for the same services due to ‘almost unlimited availability of financial resources and increased demand.’
