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Germany may need 260,000 troops, far exceeding current target of 203,000 amid Nato demands, says top military unionist

Germany will need as many as 260,000 active-duty soldiers to meet Nato's increasing defence demands, significantly more than the government's current target of 203,000, according to a report, citing the head of the country's military union read more German soldiers march at a formal inauguration of a German brigade for Nato's eastern flank in Vilnius. AP File Germany will need as many as 260,000 active-duty soldiers to meet Nato's increasing defence demands, significantly more than the government's current target of 203,000, according to a Politico report, citing the head of the country's military union. That target was originally established in 2016, well before Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Nato's subsequent shift toward strengthening defence capabilities. Since then, the Bundeswehr has faced persistent challenges in expanding its ranks and currently has around 181,500 troops. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The number of 203,000 is outdated and no longer realistic,' Politico quoted André Wüstner, chairman of the Bundeswehr Association, an influential interest group that advocates for better equipment, staffing and working conditions within the German armed forces, as saying in an interview with German media group RND published on Friday. 'I assume that, depending on what is decided at the Nato summit, we will need an additional 40,000 to 60,000 soldiers,' he said, adding, 'That means the active force would need to gradually grow to as many as 260,000 troops.' Nato leaders are scheduled to meet in The Hague on June 24–25 for a summit where raising the alliance's defence spending target will be a key topic of discussion. Wüstner's warning comes as the German government prepares to launch a new voluntary military service programme aimed at tackling the Bundeswehr's persistent personnel shortfall. Under the plan, all 18-year-old men will be asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their willingness and suitability for military service, while women may choose to participate voluntarily. The initiative aims to recruit approximately 5,000 volunteers annually, reported Politico. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stressed that the programme is 'initially voluntary,' but signaled that more decisive measures could be considered in the future. 'I say this quite deliberately and honestly: The emphasis is also on 'initially,' in case we cannot recruit enough volunteers,' Politico quoted Pistorius as telling lawmakers in the Bundestag earlier this month. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We still have too few people for what our armed forces must accomplish,' he added. Germany suspended conscription in 2011. A return of the draft would mark a significant political shift. With inputs from agencies