Germany’s armed forces have grown to 186,700 personnel, marking their highest strength in approximately 13 years after adding 3,700 members over the past year. The figure places the Bundeswehr within the government’s 2026 target range of 186,000 to 190,000 personnel, with further growth expected before the end of the year. The total includes career soldiers, longer-term personnel, and voluntary service members. Applications for military careers also increased, reaching 47,300 by the end of July, a 26 percent rise from the previous year. The number of recruits hired climbed 12 percent to 15,400. Germany ultimately plans to expand the Bundeswehr to approximately 260,000 active personnel and 200,000 reservists by the mid-2030s. The government has introduced a new military service framework aimed at increasing voluntary recruitment while maintaining a registration system that could support conscription if required. A questionnaire sent to hundreds of thousands of young people has already generated assessments and new service selections. Despite the recruitment push, the new legislation has generated political and public debate over the future of military service in Germany.
