Anna Hartz
Germany has been rebuilding its military as security concerns across Europe continue to grow.
The effort is now starting to show in the number of people serving in the armed forces.
The German Armed Forces had 186,700 service members at the end of July 2026. That is the highest number recorded in 13 years, according to figures released by the Federal Ministry of Defense on August 17.
Increasing recruitment
The total is 3,700 higher than in July 2025. That represents an increase of more than 2 percent and puts the military within its personnel target for this year, according to United24Media.
One important reason for the increase is a new recruitment system introduced at the start of 2026. Under the system, 18-year-old Germans receive questionnaires asking about their interest in six months of voluntary military service.
The questionnaire is compulsory for men but voluntary for women. Around 378,000 young people were contacted. About 2,630 went through fitness tests in July, which was a 35 percent increase from the previous month.
There are now around 12,100 volunteers and short-term contract personnel serving under the new system. That is 6 percent more than a year earlier.
Recruitment is also increasing in other areas. About 47,300 people applied for short-term active service in July. That was 26 percent more than in the same month last year.
Germany recorded 15,400 new recruits during the month. The figure was 12 percent higher than in July 2025.
Higher goals
The government has much bigger plans for the coming years. Germany wants to build a standing force of at least 260,000 contract soldiers and a reserve of 200,000 personnel by 2035.
Voluntary service remains the main goal. However, compulsory military service could be introduced if there are not enough volunteers to reach the required numbers.
The growing force will also need more space. Five former military bases in Sigmaringen, Kusel, Speyer, Soest and Friedberg are expected to reopen and be handed back to army units.
Germany is also investing heavily in military equipment. The plans include stronger air defenses, long-range weapons, electronic warfare systems and larger ammunition stocks.
Inspector General Carsten Breuer has ordered the Bundeswehr to reach full operational capability by 2029. German officials have warned that Russia could rebuild its military and pose a serious threat to NATO territory by then.
The rise in troop numbers is therefore part of a much larger effort to prepare Germany for a more dangerous security environment.
