The government in Germany is to add its military personnel by as many as 11,000 by 2025, reports Bild on Saturday, as cited by government officials. The addition comprises 10,000 more soldiers and 1,000 civilian employees, representing a close to 4% increase in Germany’s military personnel.
The capital for the expansion is to be included in this year’s national budget, due for cabinet approval next week. The added positions will be allocated to Germany’s military branches, including the army, air force, navy, and cyber units, as stated in the report.
Though Germany’s Defence Ministry has refused to comment officially, the development comes as Berlin is put under mounting pressure to ensure that it achieves NATO’s revised readiness and defense capability standards. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius last week said that up to 60,000 extra soldiers would be needed by Germany to meet the alliance’s new strategic objectives, especially in light of increased perceived threat from Russia.
The move to increase numbers of troops is part of Germany’s overall move to beef up its military infrastructure and meet its promises within NATO, amid increased security concerns in Europe. The proposal is set to be a priority issue during next week’s cabinet meeting.