Germany’s cabinet on 27 Aug. passed a draft law that would reintroduce military service on a voluntary basis, aiming to reverse a long-running personnel shortfall in the Bundeswehr amid heightened security concerns over Russia. The measure, which still requires parliamentary approval, marks the first major overhaul of German conscription rules since compulsory service was suspended in 2011. Under the proposal, a six-month voluntary stint would be open to both men and women, but all 18-year-old males must complete an online questionnaire about their willingness and fitness to serve. Beginning in July 2027, they would also undergo mandatory medical examinations. Annual recruitment targets escalate from 20,000 volunteers in 2026 to 38,000 in 2030; failure to meet them would allow the government to reinstate conscription. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius wants active troop numbers raised from about 180,000 to 260,000 and the pool of trained reservists doubled to 200,000 by the early 2030s. Elsewhere in the region, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Warsaw will allocate almost PLN 200 billion to defence in 2026—about 5% of national output—positioning Poland as the top NATO spender relative to GDP. The funding surge is intended to accelerate equipment purchases and troop expansion. The moves by Europe’s two largest frontline states underscore a broader rearmament trend across NATO as members seek to meet alliance force goals and harden defences following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.