Germany must increase its active troop numbers by approximately 100,000 above the current 62,000 to meet NATO’s new objectives, which call for high readiness in the face of potential threats from Russia, German Army Chief Alfons Mais stated in a confidential document obtained by Reuters.
In the letter, dated September 2 and addressed to Chief of Defense Staff Carsten Breuer, Mais emphasized:
“It is essential for the army to be sufficiently prepared for war by 2029 and to provide the capabilities Germany pledged to NATO by 2035.”
According to Mais, the targets are unattainable with the current personnel levels, which also include 37,000 non-active troops.
Mais called for an additional 45,000 active troops by 2029 and another 45,000 to meet NATO’s requirements by 2035. He also requested 10,000 additional personnel to strengthen territorial defense.
Germany has already begun increasing its military presence in Eastern Europe, including establishing a 5,000-troop brigade in Lithuania and conducting naval patrols in the Baltic Sea to prevent submarine sabotage.
A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense did not comment on the contents of the document due to its confidential nature but confirmed that NATO objectives have been revised in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
According to initial assessments, Germany will need roughly 460,000 forces in total, including 260,000 active troops and 200,000 reservists.
However, the country has yet to meet the 2018-approved target of 203,000 active troops, currently falling about 20,000 troops short, according to ministry data.
