Lower thirds:

00:02 Report by Simon Young

Script:

The core of the government's plan
is to reactivate the process of registering 
all men of military age.
Initially those reaching their 18th birthday 
will be required to fill out an online form
stating whether they are interested in joining the military.
After that, the Bundeswehr
can invite them
to come forward for basic training.

Compulsory military service was suspended in Germany in 2011.
That has naturally led to a drop-off in the numbers 
serving in the Bundeswehr.
Currently there are 183 thousand regular soldiers. 
Given the current threat from Russia
and NATO's plans to counter it,
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius wants that number to swell to at least 260 thousand.

From 2028, all men aged 18 will be required to undergo 
medical and physical assessment
to check their potential suitability for military service.
But at first the government aims to rely on those young people 
who voluntarily say they are ready to be part of the military.
If not enough young men come forward 
the government may return to compelling people to join.