Germany may increase its armed forces to 230,000 troops, surpassing the current target of 203,000, to meet NATO’s rising capability demands amid ongoing security concerns from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius noted that while the Bundeswehr currently has 180,000 personnel, recruitment challenges persist.

NATO plans to set more demanding military targets by 2025, requiring Germany to contribute an additional 20,000–30,000 combat troops, equivalent to 3–5 extra brigades.

Despite increased military spending following Russia’s invasion, Germany faces uncertainty over sustaining these budgets, especially after recent political turmoil within Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government, Reuters has reported.

Written by B.C. Begley