In a recent interview, the President of the Federal Armed Forces Association, Oberst André Wüstner, emphasized the need for the German government to prepare for the possibility of reintroducing conscription. Wüstner, a high-ranking military officer, urged the Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, to take immediate action to address the shortage of personnel in the German military.
According to Wüstner, the German military must grow at a faster pace than previously anticipated to meet NATO commitments and maintain its defense capabilities. This, he said, particularly applies to the professional military personnel, who will need to be trained in new skills to meet the demands of the future. The Bundeswehr must also increase its training personnel to prepare for a potential shift to a conscription-based system.
Wüstner expressed his concerns over the current state of the German military, citing a significant gap between the government’s ambitions and the reality on the ground. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan to modernize the military, including the development of new service and career models, as well as changes to the pay and benefits system. The Bundeswehr, he warned, will struggle to attract and retain personnel if it does not become more competitive in terms of pay and benefits compared to other professions.
Wüstner also highlighted the need for a broad expansion of the military’s capabilities, including the development of land, air and sea forces, as well as cyber capabilities. However, he pointed out that the most pressing issue is the current aging and shrinking of the military, which must be addressed before any further growth can be achieved.