2024-03-12 20:38:01
Can compulsory military service with an offer from the state serve as a model for the Bundeswehr? The Defense Minister finds out about the Swedish approach in Stockholm – and collects arguments.
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius wants to follow Sweden’s model if military service is reintroduced in Germany. With a compulsory muster, but not entire years are drafted, this is “particularly suitable,” said the SPD politician in Stockholm, the first stop on a multi-day trip to Scandinavia.
His counterpart Pal Jonson, whose country is about to join NATO, said his country draws in around five to ten percent of a year. This results in a good balance between professional soldiers and those doing military service and is then an entry point into the military for many. When reintroducing military service, Sweden also opted for service between men and women and gender equality.
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Sweden is recruiting young women and men for military service
Compulsory military service was suspended in Germany in July 2011 after 55 years under the then Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU), which in practice amounted to an abolition of military and community service. Also because practically all the necessary structures have been dissolved, although conscription is being revived in times of tension and defense. A reintroduction of compulsory military service is met with resistance primarily from the FDP, but also from the SPD and the Greens.
In view of the shortage of personnel in the Bundeswehr, Pistorius is having models of compulsory service examined. These include the model practiced in Sweden, where all young women and men are screened and a selected portion receive offers of service. This is a type of model obligation.
“So we hear five to ten percent of a year, where ten percent in Germany would be 40,000 men alone. Then I haven’t even included the women. That makes it clear that you couldn’t transfer that one to one,” said Pistorius. It has to be about getting started. “In addition to all the legal questions and the political ones, which haven’t even been discussed yet because we don’t have the resources, i.e. the barracks, the trainers, to do so from now on.”
Pistorius: Security cannot be taken for granted
Pistorius said he would also welcome general compulsory service, i.e. service in rescue organizations or social institutions. He gets information in Sweden and other countries and then goes into the discussion in Germany. “Security cannot be taken for granted,” said Pistorius. “We need capable and motivated young women and men so that we can defend our countries if the worst comes to the worst.” The discussion about this must be held.
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The Bundeswehr’s personnel offensive did not make any progress last year. On the contrary: despite increased efforts, the number of soldiers has fallen to 181,500 men and women. This means that as of December 31, 2023, there were around 1,500 fewer temporary and professional soldiers as well as those voluntarily doing military service than a year earlier. Overall, the declared goal of increasing the Bundeswehr to 203,000 soldiers by 2031, even against the background of the new dangers posed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, became more distant.
Sweden and Germany want to expand military cooperation
Both ministers signed a document for further intensified military cooperation. “The declaration of intent is an important signal of our strong defense cooperation, which will now become even stronger,” said Jonson at a press conference in Karlberg Castle. He also named strengthening the defense industries as a goal. This is essential for deterrence.
Sweden’s accession to NATO was long held up by Turkey and Hungary, which have now agreed. Hungary’s president signed the parliamentary resolution on Tuesday, which must now be deposited with the US State Department in order to complete the accession. Pistorius said Sweden’s clout in NATO was particularly important in the Baltic Sea region. “Finally, good friends are becoming NATO allies,” he added.