Germany plans to reintroduce a limited form of military service to address persistent troop shortages in its armed forces. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the initiative on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to be “war ready” in light of increasing threats, particularly from Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Since the abolition of conscription in 2011, Germany’s Bundeswehr has struggled to maintain adequate troop levels. The new plan will require 18-year-olds to fill out a questionnaire regarding their willingness to serve, followed by a medical examination for those selected. The defense ministry aims to recruit about 5,000 new soldiers per year, eventually increasing the figure.

The initiative falls short of reinstating full conscription and instead follows a voluntary, selective service model, inspired by systems in Scandinavian countries like Sweden. The plan includes six months of basic training, which can be extended to up to 23 months, after which recruits will serve in the reserve force.

The German government intends to boost active armed forces from the current 181,000 to 203,000 by 2031. Nevertheless, military officials argue that up to 460,000 soldiers are needed for adequate defense. The proposal has faced criticism for its vagueness and perceived insufficiency in addressing the Bundeswehr’s manpower issues.

Under the proposal, women turning 18 will also receive the questionnaires but are not required to respond, in line with Germany’s constitution, which does not mandate compulsory service for women. This initiative comes amidst Germany’s broader military expansion and increased defense spending pledged by Chancellor Olaf Scholz following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Bundeswehr seeks to enhance recruitment in specialized areas like cybersecurity and medical fields as part of modernizing and expanding its capabilities.