Status: 31.12.2023, 08:21 a.m.
By: Jens Kiffmeier
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Modern equipment and a return to compulsory military service: Bavaria's prime minister is putting pressure on the Bundeswehr reform – and is calling for 100,000 drones.
Munich – Full equipment, full ammunition depots and full training opportunities: In view of new threats, Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) has called for more speed to modernize the Bundeswehr. "We have to make our country 100 percent capable of defending itself," the head of government told Bild am Sonntag. Procurement must be "revolutionized". A "drone army with 100,000 drones for our armed forces" is also needed. He also explicitly called for a return to conscription – but there is still a lot of controversy on this point.
Drones and conscription: Markus Söder (CSU) sets the pace for Bundeswehr reform
At the end of November, the Bundeswehr had already set up a task force to procure drones. This was confirmed by Inspector General Carsten Breuer to the trade magazine Augen geradeaus. Previously, the Ukraine war, in which unnamed aircraft systems are playing an increasingly important role, had exposed a weak point in the German army. In contrast to many other armies within NATO, the armed forces in this country have hardly any such technology at their disposal.
Calls for the return of conscription in Germany: Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU). © Matthias Balk/dpa
Against this background, Söder is now insisting on a modern infrastructure with new barracks, new depot structures and new weapon systems. "This is the only way we can create a larger and stronger Bundeswehr in the face of growing threats," he explained in the Bams interview. For him, however, the linchpin for modernization remains a return to conscription.
"Suspension was a mistake": Söder wants a return to conscription in Germany
"From today's perspective, the suspension was a mistake," Söder said. "The argument at the time was that we no longer have a threat in Europe. That's different now. As the threat situation grows, the reintroduction of compulsory military service makes sense." The reintroduction will not happen overnight, he admitted. "We are talking about implementation within a period of five years at the earliest in order to adapt the necessary structures."
From the point of view of the Bavarian Prime Minister, the new conscription should last at least seven months. This is the only way to ensure a reasonable basic education. As an alternative, one could also think of a general duty of service, which, however, would be constitutionally difficult to enforce. "Conscription would apply to men. A social service obligation for all," Söder explained. "Of course, the Bundeswehr is open to women."
Suspended and not abolished – compulsory military service in Germany
Compulsory military service was suspended in July 2011 after 55 years by the then Minister of Defence, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg (CSU). So, theoretically, it still exists. In practice, however, this was tantamount to the abolition of military and civilian service, as all structures for mustering and training a large number of soldiers were also abolished.
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One should already start to strengthen voluntary military service, said the CSU leader. "The current offer is not attractive enough. All those who voluntarily serve for one year should receive a bonus: for example, the reduction of the numerus clausus for studies, the waiver of practical semesters or a shortening of the training period." In addition, the service should be better paid. "Of course, all of this must also apply to basic military service."
Sweden as a model: Pistorius has new models of conscription examined
With his stance, Söder is in line with Boris Pistorius (SPD). Due to the changed security situation following the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Minister of Defence is currently having models of compulsory military service examined. He had declared that he would also take into account the Swedish model of conscription. "There, all young women and men are mustered, and only a select number of them end up doing basic military service. Whether something like this would also be conceivable in our country is part of these considerations," he told Welt am Sonntag in mid-December.
Criticism came mainly from the FDP and the Greens, but SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken also distanced herself from the initiative. The Bundestag's Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Eva Högl, then called for an objective debate to be held in the coming year 2024 on the models for general service in the Bundeswehr and civilian organizations. (jeki/with material from dpa
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