Germany calls on all 18-year-old men to undergo military screening

The decision follows Berlin’s push to create Europe’s strongest conventional army

Under the new military service plan, all 18-year-old men will be required to complete a suitability questionnaire and, starting in 2027, undergo medical screening, per The BBC.

The decision comes as Berlin has claimed to want to create Europe's strongest conventional army.

Rheinmetall's boss, the head of Germany's largest defence firm, has told the BBC that he believes the target could be met within the next five years.

It is expected that lawmakers will vote on the plan by the end of the year.

Joining the military will still be voluntary for those willing to sign up, however, all 18-year-old men will have to fill out a 'declaration of willingness', per DW.

They will be sent a questionnaire to assess their interest and willingness to join the armed forces.

Women will also have the option to take this test, but unlike the men, their participation will not be mandatory.

Then, from July 2027, all men aged 18 will also have to take an additional medical exam to assess their fitness for duty.

German business executive Armin Papperger said Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s plan to strengthen the Bundeswehr was "realistic," adding that the government was now making “clear decisions.”

Germany’s defence chief, Gen Carsten Breuer, has previously warned that NATO must be ready for a possible Russian attack within four years.

Papperger said he had "no glass ball," but agreed Germany needed to be "ready in '29."

When Merz’s CDU/CSU formed a coalition with the centre-left SPD earlier this year, they agreed to reintroduce military service on a voluntary basis "to start with", per The BBC.

The Bundeswehr currently has approximately 182,000 troops, however, the new military models are hoping to increase that number by 20,000 over the next year, rising to between 255,000 and 260,000 over the next 10 years, rounded off by approximately 200,000 reservists.

If the government fails to meet its targets, parliament could consider introducing some form of compulsory enlistment. If a war were then to break out, the military would be able to rely on the questionnaires and medical exams for potential recruits.