Germany's Active Military Personnel Reaches Highest Level in 13 Years

According to a report by Reference News Network on August 20, the German weekly magazine "Die Zeit" reported on August 17 that in July this year, the strength of the Bundeswehr reached its highest level in 13 years.

The German Ministry of Defense stated that the strength of the Bundeswehr has increased by about 2% compared to mid-2025. As of July 31, the Bundeswehr had approximately 186,700 active-duty personnel, an increase of about 3,700 compared to July 2025.

The report indicates that the number of active-duty personnel meets the target range for 2026. According to Germany's new conscription law, the goal for military expansion in 2026 is to increase the number of active-duty personnel to between 186,000 and 190,000. The aim of the new conscription law is to increase the number of active-duty personnel in the Bundeswehr to between 255,000 and 270,000 by 2035.

The last time the average annual strength of the Bundeswehr exceeded the current level was in 2012, when it was about 197,900. The strength of the Bundeswehr peaked in the 1980s, reaching as high as 495,000.

The German Ministry of Defense reported that in July this year, the number of applicants for military service was about 47,300, an increase of about 26% compared to the same period last year; the number of new recruits was about 15,400, an increase of about 12% compared to the same period last year, and an increase of about 4,500 compared to June.

According to data from the German Ministry of Defense, there are currently about 12,100 volunteers and short-term contract female soldiers serving in the Bundeswehr under the new conscription system, an increase of about 6% compared to last year. (Translated by Wang Qiang)