Call for a Mass Military Reserve: Expert Advocates for One Million Reservists in the Bundeswehr

The president of the Reservists' Association in Germany has issued a strong call for the Bundeswehr to establish a reserve force of one million personnel. This recommendation comes in light of increasing security concerns across Europe, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency.

According to Patrick Sensburg, the head of the association, the Bundeswehr would require between 300,000 and 350,000 active soldiers for national defense. However, he emphasizes that the reserve force should be three times larger, effectively necessitating a total of nearly one million reservists. Sensburg argues that a robust reserve is essential for Germany to effectively respond to potential military conflicts.

Current statistics indicate that approximately 34,000 reservists are actively participating in regular exercises, while the Bundeswehr estimates a need for around 60,000 reservists to fulfill its operational requirements. Sensburg, a former member of the Bundestag from 2009 to 2021, pointed to NATO assessments suggesting that in the event of conflict on the eastern front, casualties could reach 5,000 soldiers per day. He expressed concerns regarding the morale of active-duty soldiers, stating that they would feel insecure without nearby reservists to support them.

Sensburg has criticized the current defense minister's proposed model for voluntary military service, which anticipates only 5,000 new recruits in its first year. He believes this figure is insufficient and unrealistic given the current military landscape. Sensburg contends that the personnel shortage is a major challenge for the Bundeswehr, and that political leaders must confront this reality rather than shy away from the implications of reinstating mandatory service.

He further noted that reliance on voluntary enlistment alone is no longer viable. Despite ongoing recruitment campaigns and promotional efforts aimed at attracting new personnel, the Bundeswehr has not seen the desired results. Sensburg pointed out that there are many individuals willing to serve who have been turned away from enlistment due to current limitations within the military. He described the situation as troubling, given that many of these individuals are established members of society who wish to contribute to national defense.

Sensburg emphasized the importance of demonstrating credible military readiness, warning that insufficient personnel and resources could embolden adversaries. He stated that adversaries like Putin are observant of Germany's military capabilities, and a lack of a credible reserve could lead to detrimental outcomes for national security.

As of the end of January 2025, the Bundeswehr had approximately 182,857 active personnel, a slight decrease from the previous year. Meanwhile, the average age of service members has increased, reflecting a growing concern about the sustainability of the military force.