This was reported to the Reuters agency by sources familiar with the matter.
Germany plans to introduce a voluntary six-month military service to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities. This information was confirmed by sources familiar with the situation.
The German government hopes that the new program will increase the number of trained reservists to 200,000, as there are currently about 100,000. Some volunteers may continue their service in the Bundeswehr.
Volunteers who join the six-month service will perform simple tasks such as guard duty. However, if the number of volunteers is insufficient, the government will consider introducing conscription to increase the military personnel.
Participants in the program will be able to continue training in the field of internal security, obtain truck driving licenses, or undergo tank crew training.
Additionally, new temporary barracks are planned to be built so that recruits can train closer to their homes.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed hope that the legislation will be passed by the end of next month, and the first recruits will begin training in May 2026.
Earlier, the head of the Bundeswehr Association, André Wüstner, emphasized the need to increase the army’s size from the current 180,000 to 260,000 soldiers to meet NATO requirements and counter threats from Russia.
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