Germany’s military surge explained: why Berlin wants Europe’s strongest army | World News

New Delhi: Following a law passed last month, Germany launched a historic military mobilization by sending mandatory surveys to 18-year-old males to assess their potential suitability for military service. While joining the military is voluntary for now, the law allows the government to impose compulsory service to achieve its goal of building what it claims will be Europe’s strongest conventional army since World War II.

Last November, the country’s active duty force reached 184,000 troops, an increase of 2,500 since May, when Chancellor Friedrich Merz first declared in parliament that the Bundeswehr should be Europe’s dominant conventional military force.

This is the largest force Germany has had in decades and the strongest since 2021, experts said.

The government hires on 23-month contracts that offer generous salaries and benefits, including free housing and health insurance, resulting in a net monthly income of around €2,300 ($2,700) after deductions. These contracts can then be expanded into permanent professional service.

Germany has committed to increasing its active-duty personnel to 260,000 by 2035 and doubling its reserve force to 200,000, approaching the half-million-strong army it maintained at the end of the Cold War. Russia was alarmed by these plans, warning that Berlin appeared to be preparing for a possible conflict with Moscow.

From Germany’s perspective, Russia’s refusal to leave Ukraine has pushed Berlin to spend €108 billion ($125 billion) on defense this year; This is equivalent to 2.5 percent of GDP and more than double the 2021 budget of 48 billion euros ($56 billion). Defense support among Germans rose from 58 percent to 65 percent in just one year. The country plans to allocate 3.5 percent of GDP to military spending by 2030.

A December poll found that eight in 10 Germans now believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is not serious about achieving peace in Ukraine, and many have accepted warnings that Moscow could eventually expand hostilities against NATO countries. The year 2029 was publicly portrayed as a potential point for Russia’s attack on NATO, and awareness of Europe’s unstable security situation was raised.

In addition to concerns about Russia, the decrease in German trust in the United States also affected military policy. The survey, conducted by ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen, meaning Second German Television) in mid-2025, found that 73 percent doubt that the United States will continue to guarantee the security of Europe; this rate increased to 84 percent as of December.

America’s political influence, especially support for far-right parties sympathetic to Russia, has strengthened this perception. The publication of Trump’s National Security Strategy, which warned Europe of the “erasure of civilization” due to EU policies, reinforced the belief that Washington cannot be trusted.

As a result, six in 10 Germans no longer trust the US nuclear deterrent, and three-quarters support the Anglo-French or European nuclear deterrent. Support for the historically limited European army increased to 57 percent. Many Germans continue to value NATO as an institution but are increasingly interested in a European-led defense structure.

Merz’s ambition echoes promises made by his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, who vowed to create the strongest army in Europe during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While Scholz promoted a one-time $120 billion increase in defense funding, bureaucratic delays and cultural resistance slowed its implementation.

Traditionally, the Bundeswehr was not a preferred career option, especially among older and well-educated Germans wary of a military resurgence.

However, public attitudes have changed since 2022. The Merz administration has suspended constitutional deficit limits, allowing permanent increases in defense spending, and parliament recently approved nearly $60 billion in new purchases.

Analysts warn that Russia may seek to exploit domestic resistance to conscription in Germany as part of propaganda efforts by portraying military service as a threat to German youth.

Experts point out that increasing the budget and political support does not instantly create a stronger army. Recruitment, training and equipment programs are still ongoing.

Observers say Germany now realizes that being solely committed to Europe or NATO is not enough. Berlin is strengthening its own army against threats from Russia and reducing US support, putting German forces at the center of Europe’s security.