Bundeswehr chief in a live interview: Conscription back on the agenda!

Bundeswehr chief in a live interview: Conscription back on the agenda!

At a time when international tensions are increasing, the Federal Government's plans to strengthen the Bundeswehr are more in focus than ever. A clear reason for this is Russia's aggressive foreign policy towards Ukraine and the associated demands from the USA for NATO to provide more support. On Monday, June 23, 2025, the “ZDF morning magazine” will broadcast live from the Bundeswehr Pioneer School in Ingolstadt. Moderator Andreas Wunn will speak to various guests about the future of German security and defense starting at 6 a.m., including Prime Minister Markus Söder and Inspector General Carsten Breuer, both of whom will provide important insights into the thoughts on the Bundeswehr. This reports ZDF.

A central aspect of the program will be the discussion about the possible revival of conscription. This was suspended in Germany in 2011 and is now up for debate again in view of the changing security situation. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has already presented plans to introduce a new model of conscription. This model requires young men to fill out a military registration questionnaire to assess military fitness, which was set over a decade ago. The minister expects an additional 5,000 new soldiers every year, provided enough young men report for muster. The details are in ZDF today to read.

New conscription model and political debate

There are different positions in the political debate. While Boris Pistorius calls for a revival of compulsory military service, there are also skeptics within the traffic light coalition, particularly from the SPD and the Greens. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil and party leader Saskia Esken rely on voluntary action. This resistance is reinforced by concerns about military justice and the number of able-bodied men available to reach the desired troop levels. The current requirement exceeds the target of 203,300 soldiers, as there are currently only 181,500 active soldiers in the Bundeswehr daily news reported.

The discussion about compulsory military service is accompanied by the planning of a billion-dollar package to arm and reform the Bundeswehr. The coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU and SPD emphasizes the need to ensure the security situation itself and refers to the upcoming NATO summit in June 2025, which could potentially lead to new targets for defense spending. These reforms could also significantly improve conditions for soldiers and present the Bundeswehr as an attractive employer. This is confirmed, among others, by Thomas Hirsch, Managing Director of Hirsch Engineering Solutions, who describes his company's conversion to the defense industry.

Student discussion and outlook

Another exciting part of the live broadcast will be the discussion among students who will present their views on a possible revival of compulsory military service. It is important to include the opinions of the young generation on such weighty issues, as they are ultimately the future soldiers and citizens. The focus is also on the challenges that the Bundeswehr currently faces, particularly with regard to personnel recruitment and the need for efficient procurement processes in order to improve the equipment of the troops.

The questions regarding the future of the Bundeswehr and compulsory military service are of great importance and will certainly continue to concern both political actors and the population - especially in the context of the ongoing turbulent geopolitical developments.