Germany stunned as two-thirds say they wouldn't fight to defend homeland in case of invasion
The survey—carried out by a German Broadcaster RND—stated that 59% of the people surveyed would 'probably' or 'definitely' avoid taking up arms for their nation's cause. However, there were 16% who would 'definitely' get on the battlefield for their country while 22% said that they would probably do it, the survey said.
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Most Germans don't want to fight in the army
The plan hampers Germany's goal of recruiting over 400,000 young adult Germans by 2031 in its Bundeswehr, the German armed forces. The plan, headed by the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, was intended to rejuvenate the military following decades of underinvestment and stagnation, reports said.
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Though conscription in Germany ended in 2011, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Trump Administration's reluctance to engage with NATO unless its members increase their defense spending has prompted a reassessment of Germany's military might.
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Marred by wartime guilt and focus on economic development, Germany kept its army underfunded for decades, reports said. However, the changing geopolitical conditions have prompted a discussion about 'Zeitenwende' (turning of times) in the German military.
Germany plans to grow its army and boost defence funding
The 182,000 soldiers currently in the German Army are seen as inadequate by officials and they want it to at least be 260,000 by 2035. The Bundeswehr reserve forces also need to be pushed from a mere 60,000 troops to 200,000 people.
The Center to Right Merz government—led by Chancellor Friedrich Mertz—has created a 500bn euro (£435bn) special infrastructure fund, for bolstering road and rail networks. The Chancellor has initiated historic debt reforms, which could see potentially unlimited government defence spending on projects costing more than 1 per cent of GDP. Mertz had declared that Germany was 'back' after his election triumph earlier this year and vowed to push back against Russian aggression, reports said.
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The fund is also a critical part of Nato's wider security planning for a potential future altercations with Russia, as Germany would be as a transit zone and a critical strategic point for troops and tanks en route to the eastern front of Europe.
FAQs
Q1. Why are many Germans unwilling to join the army?
Most Germans feel reluctant to fight due to past war guilt and a long period of military underfunding.
Q2. What is Germany's plan for its military by 2031?
Germany aims to recruit over 400,000 young adults to rebuild and strengthen its armed forces by 2031.
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