Germany’s armed forces have grown to nearly 192,000 active personnel, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced on 13 October, exceeding the upper end of the 2026 target range of 186,000–190,000. Speaking at the German Employers’ Day in Berlin, Pistorius reported the increase ahead of the publication of October’s official personnel statistics, expected in November.

The increase suggests that conscription is not necessary to meet Germany’s current personnel targets. Voluntary recruitment has already taken the Bundeswehr beyond the upper end of its target range for 2026, weakening the argument that compulsory enlistment is needed to deliver the planned expansion this year.

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