Germany: Bundeswehr troop numbers reach 13-year high
Germany's Defense Ministry is reporting a comparatively rare success story in its bid to bolster troop numbers. At the end of July, the total stood at around 186,700, roughly 3,700 more than a year earlier — a 2% boost.
Germany's Bundeswehr military employed roughly 186,700 soldiers as of July 31, 2023, according to the Defense Ministry. This marks a notable increase for the armed forces, which have been struggling to meet recruitment targets amid setbacks and bottlenecks. The military aims to reach a total of 260,000 full-time troops, including around 200,000 reservists, by the mid-2030s.
The increase in personnel is attributed to efforts to bolster recruitment, procurement, and defense spending in response to new NATO targets and perceived threats from Russia and beyond. A survey conducted to gauge the availability, interest, and suitability of potential recruits found that 96% of surveyed men responded, compared to only 4% of women and people of other genders.
Of those who responded, 2,630 individuals underwent assessments, and 865 signed up for active service. The survey, which does not commit respondents to any form of service, revealed an average interest level of 5 out of 10 among those who participated. The Defense Ministry noted that the questionnaire process has helped increase the number of people coming in for assessments and signing up for active duty.
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