Germany launches drive to add military recruits without conscription for now

BERLIN (AP) — Germany's leaders on Wednesday launched a drive to attract more people into voluntary military service as the country scrambles to strengthen its armed forces in the face of growing fears about Russian aggression, a project that some in the governing coalition say doesn't go far enough.

Germany, a leading NATO and European Union member, has moved to modernize its long-neglected military since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. That year, it set up a 100 billion euro ($117 billion) special fund to modernize the Bundeswehr, much of which has been committed to procuring new equipment.

New Chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition this year pushed plans through parliament to enable higher defense spending by loosening strict rules on incurring debt. Merz has said repeatedly he wants the Bundeswehr to be "the strongest conventional army in Europe.”

The government is redoubling its efforts to attract more recruits, which the military struggled to do in recent years. Germany had some 181,000 active servicepeople at the end of last year. But the government says it needs to increase that in the long term to 260,000, plus some 200,000 reservists.

“The Bundeswehr must grow — the international security situation, above all Russia's aggressive behavior, make this necessary," Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Wednesday. “We need not just well-equipped forces, we are going at full speed on that ... we also need a Bundeswehr that is strong in terms of personnel. Only then is deterrence toward Russia really credible.”

Pistorius spoke after Merz's Cabinet approved his plan for a new military service system. It aims to draw sufficient recruits without reviving compulsory conscription for men, which was suspended in 2011, but leaves the door open for parliament to do so if not enough people volunteer.

The plan foresees more attractive pay and conditions for people who agree to join the military for short periods and what Pistorius describes as attractive training offers for those who join up for at least six months, as well as flexibility on how long people can serve.

Beginning next year, the government plans to send questionnaires to young men and women turning 18 about their willingness and ability to serve in the military. Starting in mid-2027, young men will be required to undergo medical examinations, though not to sign up for the military.

The plan still needs parliamentary approval. It was authorized at a Cabinet meeting held for the first time in many years at the Defense Ministry. Before the decision, NATO’s supreme commander in Europe, U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, briefed ministers on the security environment.

But there has been tension in the conservative Merz's coalition with Pistorius' center-left Social Democrats over whether the new system should foresee an automatic return to compulsory service if the military can't draw enough volunteers.

Some conservatives pushed unsuccessfully for compulsory service. But Pistorius says the conditions aren't in place at the moment as sufficient barracks and trainers aren't currently available.

The plan allows for the government to move toward compulsory service “if, in the course of the next one, two or three years, we see that the target figures aren't being reached," Merz said. He added he was “confident, at least from today's point of view, that in any case to begin with we will reach the figures we need.”

A senior conservative ally of the chancellor, Bavarian governor Markus Söder, told ARD television Sunday that Pistorius' plan is “a first step in the right direction.”

“I don't think we are going to manage with these appeals, by making the Bundeswehr a bit more attractive,” Söder said. “I think there won't be a way past compulsory service. ... Some say (Russian President Vladimir) Putin could be in a position to challenge NATO in 2027, others in 2029 — why wait if we already know today at least that the danger is there?”

Later Wednesday, Pistorius joined Germany's vice chancellor, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and others to inaugurate a new artillery ammunition factory built by defense company Rheinmetall at its Unterluess site in northern Germany, a project that underlines Europe's efforts to ramp up its weapons production.

Rheinmetall aims to produce 350,000 artillery shells a year at the facility. The inauguration only 18 months after a groundbreaking ceremony is “a strong signal that we are increasing the reliability of our supplies here in Germany," Pistorius said.

Rutte said that “we are being challenged” by Russia and China, “but Europe and America together are on course to turn the tide on defense production.”

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, from left, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, CEO Armin Papperger and German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil arrive for the inauguration of the newly built artillery ammunition plant by German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall in Unterluess, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, center, gestures besides NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, background right, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, foreground right, and German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, background center, while the inauguration of the newly built artillery ammunition plant by German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall in Unterluess, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

From left to right, German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) Chief of Defence Carsten Breuer, NATO SACEUR General Alexus Grynkewich, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil pose for a group picture prior to the Cabinet meeting at the Defense Ministry in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius pose for a group picture prior to the Cabinet meeting at the Defense Ministry in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

MILAN (AP) — AC Milan didn’t let city rival Inter Milan open up too big a gap at the top of Serie A as it fought back to win 3-1 at in-form Como on Thursday, with Adrien Rabiot winning a penalty and then scoring two goals.

Inter had moved six points clear of Milan and Napoli with a 1-0 win over Lecce on Wednesday, coupled with Napoli’s frustrating draw against Parma.

Milan’s victory saw the Rossoneri cut the gap back to three points.

It didn’t start off so well for Massimiliano Allegri’s team, however.

Como — which was sixth in Serie A — got off to the perfect start when a corner was taken short and then floated in for Marc-Oliver Kempf to head the hosts into the lead in the 10th minute.

Como dominated but Milan leveled on the stroke of halftime when it was awarded a penalty after Rabiot was brought down by Kempf and Christopher Nkunku’s spot kick squirmed under the body of Jean Butez.

Milan turned the match around completely 10 minutes into the second half. Rafael Leão controlled a crossfield pass and then cut inside before lifting the ball over for Rabiot to chest down and volley across into the bottom right corner.

And Rabiot sealed the match shortly before full time when Niclas Füllkrug headed a ball back to the France midfielder and he drilled hard and low into the near corner.

Bologna ended a miserable run as it fought back to win 3-2 at relegation-threatened Hellas Verona in a match full of spectacular goals.

Bologna hadn’t won since November and got off to a poor start when it gave away the ball in the opposition penalty area and Antoine Bernède raced almost from box to box before laying it off for Gift Orban to fire home.

Riccardo Orsolini curled in an equalizer following a smart free kick and equally impressive goals from Jens Odgaard and Santiago Castro put Bologna 3-1 up at halftime.

Bologna midfielder Remo Marco Freuler accidentally turned a cross into his own net in the 71st minute.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Verona's Gift Orban, left, celebrates scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Bologna in Verona, Italy, Thursday Jan. 15 , 2026. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)

Bologna's Santiago Castro (9), right, celebrates goal 1-3 during the Serie A soccer match between Hellas Verona and Bologna in Verona, Italy, Thursday Jan. 15 , 2026. (Paola Garbuio/LaPresse via AP)

Como's Marc-Oliver Kempf, center, celebrates scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Como and Milan in Como, Italy, Thursday Jan. 15, 2026. (Antonio Saia/LaPresse via AP)

Como's Nico Paz, left, and AC Milan's Luka Modric in action during the Serie A soccer match between Como and Milan in Como, Italy, Thursday Jan. 15, 2026. (Antonio Saia/LaPresse via AP)

AC Milan's Christopher Nkunku celebrates scoring during the Serie A soccer match between Como and Milan in Como, Italy, Thursday Jan. 15, 2026. (Antonio Saia/LaPresse via AP)