Germany Bolsters Defense Strategy for First Time in Decades

A strategic shift not seen since the Cold War is underway in Germany as the nation positions itself to potentially lead Europe’s defense in case of military aggression against NATO. This dramatic change marks a significant departure from decades of post-World War II military restraint that has defined German security policy.

Berlin is accelerating its military rebuilding efforts amid rising tensions between Russia and NATO allies. The German parliament recently approved comprehensive legislation aimed at expanding the Bundeswehr from its current strength of approximately 180,000 soldiers to 260,000 by 2035, according to the German government’s official announcement.

To achieve this ambitious growth, Germany is implementing a range of incentives including higher compensation, enhanced training pathways, and programs designed to make military skills more transferable to civilian employment—addressing a longstanding barrier to recruitment.

Perhaps most notable is the revival of a selective service-style model that Germany abandoned years ago. Under the new law, all 18-year-old men will receive a mandatory questionnaire assessing their health and fitness for potential military service. Women can voluntarily participate in this screening process.

The urgency behind Germany’s military expansion reflects growing concerns about regional security. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has issued stark warnings about the possibility of a direct military confrontation with Russia, suggesting NATO must prepare for potential conflict “as early as next year,” according to Eurasia Daily reporting.

Pistorius and other officials have increasingly signaled that Europe cannot assume the United States will continue to shoulder the same level of defense responsibility it has historically. This acknowledgment represents a watershed moment for Germany, a nation where military overreach carries profound historical baggage.

While Germany moves decisively to bolster its forces, the United States faces its own complex set of military readiness challenges. However, unlike recent years, recruitment appears to be a bright spot for American forces.

The U.S. Army reached its fiscal year 2025 recruitment goal of 61,000 new soldiers four months ahead of schedule—its strongest performance in a decade, according to Department of War figures. Similarly, both the Navy and Air Force report they are on track to meet their respective recruitment targets.

Yet these positive recruitment numbers mask deeper, systemic readiness issues. A March 2025 Government Accountability Office (GAO) assessment painted a troubling picture of U.S. military preparedness, describing a pattern of declining readiness spanning more than two decades.

The GAO report attributes these challenges primarily to the Pentagon’s struggle to maintain aging weapons systems while simultaneously developing and fielding new technologies designed to counter evolving global threats.

The assessment details widespread concerns across all military domains. In the air, 42 of 45 major aircraft platforms failed to meet mission-capable goals in 2023, hampered by aging fleets, maintenance personnel shortages, and supply chain disruptions.

Naval readiness shows similar strain, with only 20% of carrier strike groups completing scheduled maintenance on time in fiscal year 2021. Half of the Navy’s amphibious fleet was rated in poor condition, and some repair plans were only saved by congressional intervention.

Ground forces face their own challenges. Army watercraft mission-capable rates have plummeted from 75% to under 40% since 2020, while new equipment is being fielded without adequate facilities or training infrastructure in place.

Even the newly established Space Force has struggled to identify personnel pipelines and training structures necessary to operate advanced systems in contested environments.

The GAO’s conclusion underscores that these readiness challenges are not temporary setbacks but rather systemic problems that have developed over decades and show little sign of natural improvement without significant intervention.

As NATO allies navigate this complex security landscape, Germany’s pivot toward military leadership represents a historic shift in European defense dynamics—one that could fundamentally reshape transatlantic security relationships in the coming years.