Berlin – A scathing assessment of the Bundeswehr’s current state was delivered Tuesday by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Henning Otte (57, CDU), in his 2025 annual report. The 96-page report, described as “deficient,” highlights a deeply concerning surge in incidents of “sexual misconduct,” right-wing extremism, and bullying within the German military.
Otte’s report details disturbing instances of abuse. One reserve officer allegedly ordered a subordinate soldier to lie in a ten-centimeter-deep puddle for an hour and a half in seven-degree Celsius temperatures during an exercise. In a basic training company, recruits reportedly held a comrade’s head underwater in a toilet and flushed it. Other recruits were allegedly stripped to their underwear and forced to run a gauntlet of peers who struck them, and one recruit had the word “rat” written on his forehead with a felt-tip pen for discussing incidents with other units.
As a result of these incidents, eleven individuals were dismissed, and twelve cases were referred to the public prosecutor’s office.
Insufficient Equipment and Personnel
The report also cites lengthy procurement times for essential equipment, such as the “Digitalisierung landbasierter Operationen” (D-LBO) radio system, and a significant backlog of necessary repairs to military facilities, totaling 67 billion euros. Testing of the new Arrow 3 weapon system revealed concerning vulnerabilities, with the system reportedly being spied on by drones two days before its planned deployment, leaving the Bundeswehr unable to effectively counter the threat.
According to Otte, achieving the planned personnel increase to 260,000 active soldiers by the mid-2030s is “absolutely essential” for successfully implementing Germany’s defense plan and establishing credible deterrence. Currently, the Bundeswehr numbers only 184,194 personnel.
Otte also expressed concern over the low proportion of enlisted soldiers (29.3 percent), noting that We find almost as many officers as enlisted personnel. He questioned whether this “top-heavy” structure would allow the military to effectively fulfill its duties.
Is a Return to Compulsory Military Service Necessary?
If voluntary service fails to yield sufficient numbers, Otte suggests a return to compulsory military service. Achieving the goal of 200,000 reservists requires addressing the “existing uncertainty” among young people. A modernized “hair and grooming regulations” policy is also deemed necessary.
The report notes a concerning trend: the proportion of recruits who depart during their trial period has risen from 19 to 19.8 percent, resulting in an overall dropout rate exceeding 25 percent in 2024. Otte also called for a greater representation of women in the military (currently 13.7 percent), noting a decline in female applicants, potentially linked to the increase in incidents of sexual misconduct, extremism, and bullying.
Bureaucracy Hinders Progress
Otte criticizes the excessive bureaucracy within the Bundeswehr and the Ministry of Defense, describing current structures as “too complicated and largely ineffective.” The lack of a digital health record, for example, leads to errors in personnel administration and “significant frustration” among soldiers. He concludes that bureaucracy within the Bundeswehr is not decreasing, but increasing.
Currently, it takes 112 days from a successful application to onboarding, two weeks longer than the previous year. Reports from within the military also indicate a focus on “quantity over quality” when assessing the physical fitness of recruits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current size of the Bundeswehr?
Currently, the Bundeswehr has 184,194 active soldiers, according to the report.
What is the current dropout rate for new recruits?
The overall dropout rate for new recruits in 2024 was over 25 percent, combining those who left during the trial period (19.8 percent) and those who were dismissed.
What is the current percentage of women in the Bundeswehr?
Women currently make up 13.7 percent of the Bundeswehr.
Given these findings, what steps will be taken to address the systemic issues within the Bundeswehr and ensure its readiness to meet future challenges?
