Germany aims to enlist 40,000 teens annually in push to be Europe’s strongest army

Published on July 28, 2025

Germany intends to significantly expand its armed forces with plans to enlist up to 40,000 teenagers annually for voluntary military service by 2031.

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The move comes amid increasing military threats from Russia. Photo: Paulius Peleckis/Getty Images

Germany to boost troops by 60,000 under new NATO targets

Politics

The draft bill, set for cabinet review by late August, will offer competitive pay and flexible terms to attract 18-year-olds, government officials say.

The German defense ministry aims to fill 15,000 slots this year through an existing program, increasing by 3,000 to 5,000 recruits annually.

The aim is to primarily boost the number of army reservists by automatically enrolling them post-service, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

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