However, Pistorius’s plan does not include reinstating compulsory military service.

Thirteen years after abolishing conscription in response to Russia’s repeated aggression in Ukraine, Germany has been forced back into a debate on how to reverse the decline in its military.

However, the plan proposed by Pistorius does not include the restoration of compulsory military service, which was abolished in 2011.

“We want a new model that relies first and foremost on voluntary participation but also includes mandatory elements where necessary,” said a document outlining the Defense Department’s proposals.

Young people must fill out questionnaires about their health and ability to join the service. Based on these questionnaires, the Bundeswehr will select the most suitable and motivated candidates after a medical examination.

“We want the best and the most motivated,” Pistorius stressed in making his proposal.

The questionnaire will also be sent to women, but they are not required to complete it.

“The new model includes six months of military reserve service, as well as a voluntary additional military service option of 17 months,” the document said.

Johannes Alz, a deputy from the Social Democratic Party represented by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, called the minister’s proposal a “very wise political initiative” because it is necessary to strengthen Germany’s defense capabilities and contribute to NATO’s collective defense system.

However, he pointed out the structural problems that emerged after the abolition of conscription.

“We have no record of anyone living in the country being able to participate in a national emergency or perform military service,” Artz acknowledged, adding that it was necessary to “restore the draft and strengthen the draft capacity.”

In a conversation with public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), he said the new plan needed to include real incentives for young Germans to apply for military service.

On the other hand, Free Democratic Party (FDP) deputy Nils Grinders admitted to DW that his party is satisfied with abolishing compulsory military service and believes that the voluntary principle is preferable.

The Bundeswehr has suffered from a shortage of new recruits in recent years, with the number of soldiers in the armed forces shrinking to 181,500 despite repeated attempts to recruit volunteers.

At the same time, it is estimated that Germany needs 460,000 soldiers in the long term to fulfill its NATO commitments, of which 200,000 are active-duty soldiers and the rest are in reserve.

Arlts said that initially about 40,000 men could be recruited each year, but that 10,000 men could eventually be drafted, adding that it would be ideal if that number increased every year.

At the same time, he admitted that the Bundeswehr did not have sufficient arsenals to accommodate the task force.

In addition, Zerapa Gilna, a representative of the opposition Christian Democratic Party, said, “This plan is necessary because the war has spread to Europe. We must prepare for the worst.”

However, Gilner admitted that the CDU will continue to insist on restoring mandatory martial law because current efforts to improve the situation are weak and the defense minister should show more courage.