Germany to expand military by up to 60,000 troops under new NATO targets

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.

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