Merz: “Germany Urgently Needs 100,000 Soldiers”

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to transform Germany into the country with the strongest army in Europe, as debates over the return of compulsory military service intensify.

German Chief of Defense Carsten Breuer stated that the country needs 460,000 soldiers to ensure sufficient defense capabilities. He revealed that the current number of active soldiers stands at around 182,000 and stressed, “We urgently need 100,000 more troops.”

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also noted the declining number of volunteers in recent years and did not hide that plans are underway to reinstate mandatory military service.