Germany is planning to reintroduce compulsory screening for military service for 18-year-old men under plans to ramp up their defence, a defence ministry source said.
Conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made boosting Germany's threadbare military a key priority amid a growing threat from Russia and US President Donald Trump's questioning of the traditional American security umbrella for Europe.
The drive aims to attract volunteers to the armed forces, but includes provisions for compulsory service in case numbers fall short.
As part of planned legislation due to be presented to cabinet next month, all young German men would have to fill out a questionnaire about their readiness and willingness to serve in the military.
The questionnaire would be voluntary for young women.
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