Germany is prepared to deploy conscripts to its 45th Armoured Brigade stationed in Lithuania if voluntary recruitment fails to meet targets, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has declared.
The statement marks a significant shift in personnel policy for the Bundeswehr, signaling that Berlin is willing to utilize compulsory service mechanisms to sustain its growing military footprint on NATO’s eastern flank.
Pistorius made the announcement as part of a broader effort to address chronic recruitment shortfalls within the German armed forces.
The 45th Armoured Brigade, which is being expanded as part of Germany’s enhanced commitment to Baltic security, requires a steady influx of personnel to maintain operational readiness.
By explicitly linking conscription to this specific deployment, the defense minister highlights the urgency of filling ranks for forward-deployed units.
This development comes as Germany prepares to station approximately 5,000 soldiers in Lithuania, a move that represents one of the most substantial increases in German military presence in the region since the end of the Cold War.