Biggest Since WWII: Germany Bundeswehr Military Modernization 2026 Gains Momentum

Germany's ambition to build the strongest army in Europe for the first time since World War II is becoming a reality. At the start of this year, 18-year-old German men began receiving compulsory questionnaires to assess their fitness for duty under a law passed just last month. While enlistment remains voluntary for now, the legislation grants the government the power to introduce mandatory service to meet its massive expansion goals.

Germany Bundeswehr Military Modernization 2026: Rebuilding the Continent's Strongest Force

As of last November, active-duty personnel in the Bundeswehr stood at 184,000 troops, an increase of 2,500 since Chancellor Friedrich Merz first declared his goal to create Europe's strongest conventional army last May. Berlin aims to reach 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists by 2035, approaching the half-million-strong force it maintained during the Cold War.

Losing Faith in the U.S. Security Umbrella

The pivot is driven by two factors: the threat from Russia and a collapse of trust in the United States. A December 2025 poll revealed that 84% of Germans no longer believe the U.S. will guarantee Europe's security. Following President Donald Trump's recent National Security Strategy, which was seen as a "middle finger" to Europe, support for a self-reliant "European NATO" has jumped to 57%.

Germany has backed its rhetoric with massive funding, allocating 108 billion euros ($125 billion) to defense this year—equivalent to 2.5% of its GDP. By 2030, spending is projected to hit 3.5%. With intelligence warnings suggesting Russia could attack NATO countries by 2029, the German public's support for military spending has risen from 58% to 65% in just one year.