Germany Revamps Defense Strategy for First Time in Decades

In a dramatic shift from its post-World War II military restraint, Germany is positioning itself to lead Europe’s defense in case of potential military aggression against NATO. For the first time since the Cold War, Berlin is accelerating the rebuilding and modernization of its armed forces amid escalating tensions between Russia and NATO allies.

Germany’s parliament recently approved comprehensive military expansion legislation designed to increase the Bundeswehr from approximately 180,000 troops to 260,000 by 2035. This ambitious growth plan introduces several new measures to attract and retain military personnel, including higher compensation, enhanced training pathways, and programs to make military skills more transferable to civilian employment—addressing what has historically been a significant obstacle for recruitment.

Perhaps most notably, the legislation reintroduces a selective-service model that requires all 18-year-old men to complete a mandatory health and fitness assessment questionnaire to evaluate their potential for military service. Women can participate voluntarily in this screening process, marking a return to a system Germany had previously abandoned.

The urgency behind Germany’s military transformation stems from growing concerns about regional security. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has issued stark warnings that NATO should prepare for potential conflict with Russia “as early as next year,” according to Eurasia Daily. German officials increasingly believe Europe must enhance its defense capabilities without assuming the United States will maintain its traditional level of support.

This represents a profound cultural and strategic evolution for Germany, where the legacy of military overreach during the 20th century has long influenced defense policy. However, Berlin now argues that the deteriorating security environment in Europe leaves the country with little choice but to take a more assertive leadership role.

While Germany moves forward with its military expansion, the United States faces its own challenges regarding force readiness, though recruitment numbers show promising signs. The U.S. Army reached its fiscal year 2025 recruitment target of 61,000 new soldiers four months ahead of schedule—its strongest performance in a decade, according to the Department of War. The Navy and Air Force also report being on track to meet their recruitment goals.

However, these positive recruitment figures mask deeper structural problems identified by government oversight bodies. A March 2025 Government Accountability Office (GAO) assessment revealed that U.S. military readiness has been declining for over two decades. The Pentagon struggles to maintain aging equipment while simultaneously developing and deploying new systems capable of countering advanced threats from global competitors.

The GAO report outlines troubling readiness indicators across all military branches. In the air domain, 42 of 45 major aircraft platforms failed to achieve their mission-capable targets in 2023, hampered by aging fleets, maintenance personnel shortages, and supply chain issues. Naval readiness shows similar concerns, with only 20% of carrier strike groups completing scheduled maintenance on time in fiscal year 2021, and half of the Navy’s amphibious vessels rated in poor condition.

Ground forces face their own challenges, with Army watercraft mission-capable rates plummeting from 75% to below 40% since 2020. Additionally, the Army has begun fielding new equipment without fully developed facilities or training protocols. Even the newly established Space Force lacks clearly defined personnel pipelines and training frameworks needed for operating sophisticated systems in contested environments.

The GAO’s assessment concludes these challenges are systemic and persistent rather than temporary setbacks, requiring comprehensive solutions beyond addressing recruitment numbers alone.

As NATO allies on both sides of the Atlantic confront these military readiness challenges, Germany’s unprecedented military expansion signals a new chapter in European security architecture—one where Berlin appears increasingly willing to assume greater responsibility for continental defense in an uncertain geopolitical landscape.