The media reported a possible increase in the number of the Bundeswehr by 80 thousand people.

The Bundeswehr needs to increase the number of personnel by 80,000 troops in order to meet the new NATO defense requirements. This was reported by the Handelsblatt newspaper on June 2, citing sources.

"Germany's capacity targets will lead to an additional 80,000 personnel requirement. The goal should be achieved in 15 years," the publication says.

It is specified that at the moment Germany cannot fulfill its own plan for the number of the Bundeswehr in 203 thousand people. In April 2025, the army's personnel amounted to 182 thousand people.

According to the newspaper, the need to increase the number of personnel is a serious challenge for Germany, as Berlin has been facing difficulties in recruiting for many years.

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On May 30, the Politico newspaper reported that the size of the German army needs to be increased to 260 thousand people to meet the growing defense needs of NATO. In addition, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stressed that the recruitment program would initially be voluntary, but did not rule out the possibility of taking more drastic measures.