Germany will increase its military personnel by up to 60,000 troops as part of efforts to meet new NATO force and readiness targets, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced Friday, citing the country’s responsibility as Europe's largest economy.
Speaking ahead of a NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Pistorius said the Bundeswehr will require between 50,000 and 60,000 additional active soldiers, bringing Germany’s total armed forces to approximately 250,000 to 260,000 troops.
"We are stepping up to our responsibility as Europe's largest economy," Pistorius told reporters, underscoring Germany’s commitment to bolstering collective defence capabilities.
The decision follows NATO’s internal assessment of capability gaps in the alliance's deterrence and defence posture, which identified major shortfalls across a range of areas — from combat-ready ground formations and long-range strike capabilities to ammunition reserves and secure communications infrastructure.
Due to the classified nature of the targets, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte provided only general details. "We have to invest in our air defence systems, long-range missiles, manoeuvrable land-formations, and command and control systems — all of this has to happen," Rutte said, adding that significant financial investment would be required.
The move marks a significant step in Germany's ongoing efforts to rebuild military capacity following decades of underinvestment. It also aligns with NATO’s broader strategy to enhance readiness in response to evolving security challenges across Europe and beyond.
A new artificial intelligence data centre in Armenia could be used for Western intelligence purposes, including against Russia, according to Russia...
Syria is carefully considering providing...
Scientists, astronauts and space industry leaders gathered in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday for the fourth day of the 77th International ...
Russia struck Ukraine overnight in one of the biggest attacks of the conflict, killing at least 19 people, Kyiv's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. Around 70 missiles were fired at Ukraine during the attack, as well as drones, the Ministry said.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has carried out a series of military operations against Houthi targets in Yemen after attacks on two Saudi airports left three people dead and dozens injured.
Azerbaijan and the five Central Asian states have signed two key documents at the 8th Consultative Meeting of Heads of State in Turkmenbashi, formalising a broader framework for regional cooperation in transport, trade, energy, digitalisation and security.
An investigation into August Hanning, the former head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has no connection to Azerbaijan, informed sources have told AnewZ.
It started with classrooms. Too many students, not enough teachers, deteriorating buildings and growing anxiety over what comes after high school. But within weeks, a movement that began outside French lycées had spread across the country.
A new artificial intelligence data centre in Armenia could be used for Western intelligence purposes, including against Russia, according to Russia's Security Council.
Scientists, astronauts and space industry leaders gathered in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday for the fourth day of the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). Designated as “Science and Academy Day,” discussions focused on the challenges of expanding human activities beyond Earth.
Spanish politicians traded blame on Thursday after the death of an 87-year-old woman who was evicted from her Madrid home exacerbated heated debates over housing ahead of an early election next month, as protests raged on across the country.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2026 will be announced on Friday, 9 October, bringing one of the world's most closely watched awards back into focus.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday 8 October, that Yerevan will discuss the possible construction of railway connections with the Turkish city of Kars and the Azerbaijani city of Nakhchivan with Russian officials next week, according to local media.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment