Germany's goal for army personnel at 460,000 servicemen is not a maximum and can be increased if necessary, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Wednesday, according to LETA citing DPA.
This number is "not a ceiling," but rather "a direction in which we are moving," Pistorius noted in an interview with the ARD broadcasting company, adding that the number could be increased in response to changing demands or a worsening security situation.
The minister also pointed to progress in increasing personnel numbers.
Since he took office, the number of active-duty servicemen has grown from about 180,000 to around 186,000, and the number of applications and enlistments continues to rise.
As the minister noted, the goal is to expand the armed forces in an organized and rapid manner.
Pistorius did not rule out the possibility of reinstating mandatory service if voluntary measures prove insufficient.
In that case, "we would have to discuss and make a decision on introducing mandatory requirements," the minister acknowledged, adding that such a step is not currently being considered.
For now, the priority is to achieve the goal using existing measures, emphasized Pistorius.
