Germany has announced its plans to reinstate mandatory military service as the government seeks to boost its armed forces. Conscription has been suspended since 2011, but a new law set to take effect on January 1st, 2026, will begin with a voluntary model that could pave the way for a broader draft.

Germany has been planning for war for quite some time, taking Ukraine’s side in the conflict with Russia. In fact, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to transform the German military into the “strongest conventional army in Europe.” According to a report by RT, German officials have set 2029 as the deadline for the country to be “war-ready,” citing the perceived “Russian threat.”

Read more: Mass Protests In Germany Over Conscription Plans