The German Armed Forces announced the recruitment of approximately 18,800 new soldiers last year. The German Ministry of Defense revealed, in response to an inquiry, an increase in the proportion of minors among the recruits. Specifically, 1,996 of the recruits were only 17 years old at the time of their enlistment, accounting for 10.6% of the new soldiers, up from 9.4% in 2022.
Despite the coalition agreement between the Social Democratic Party, the Green Party, and the Free Democratic Party, which stipulates that training and service with weapons should be restricted to adult soldiers, the Ministry of Defense now states that 17-year-olds are only appointed “after passing a comprehensive test of physical and psychological capabilities.”
The military training also includes extensive protection rules for minors: specifically, they do not participate in guard services or foreign missions, and weapon use is limited to training purposes.
According to the ministry’s data, a total of 15,935 men and 2,867 women joined the German Army last year, bringing the total number of new recruits to 18,802. This is a slight increase from 2022, the year of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which saw a roughly 12% increase in new recruits to 18,775. However, this number has not yet reached the pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, where 20,170 soldiers began their service in 2019.
The proportion of women among the recruits has slightly decreased to 15%, down from 17% in 2022, returning to the 2019 level of 15%.
Germany has been actively reshaping its defense strategy and military spending in response to increasing global security challenges, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The nation’s defense policy has undergone a significant transformation, focusing on enhancing military readiness, increasing defense spending, and modernizing its armed forces to address emerging threats more effectively.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the need for Germany to prepare for potential conflict scenarios, underscoring the importance of being “fit for war” and ready to defend the country. This stance reflects a broader recognition within the German government of the changing geopolitical landscape and the necessity of bolstering national and European defense capabilities.
In a historic shift, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a substantial increase in military spending, committing to a €100 billion fund to upgrade the German armed forces. This move signifies Germany’s commitment to reaching the NATO target of allocating 2 percent of its GDP to defense spending, reversing decades of more restrained defense policies following the Cold War. The decision to enhance military capabilities includes plans for joint European defense projects, particularly with France, and considers the acquisition of advanced military technology and equipment.