Bundeswehr Swells as Recruitment Rises | Europe News

Germany’s military is on the rise, hitting 186,700 troops—its highest level in 13 years—with a 2% jump from last year and soaring applications. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is pushing for a massive expansion to 260,000 active troops and 200,000 reservists by mid-decade to meet NATO demands and restore pre-2011 strength, even flirting with mandatory service. While surveys show strong male interest and some new recruits, female participation remains low—a key hurdle. Despite challenges, the uptick signals progress as Germany aims to grow its forces by a third in the next decade. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d186889ea7db95a9