Around 340,000 people attended events marking Bundeswehr Day, held on Saturday at ten military sites across Germany, DW reports.

According to the country’s armed forces, this is a new record and nearly 20% more than a year earlier. Naval and air bases were opened to visitors, where the military demonstrated equipment and weapons, staged demonstration performances, parachute jumps, drone flights, and spoke about opportunities for military service.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Laage Air Base, arriving escorted by two Eurofighter jets. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil took part in events in Münster, while Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited the Bundeswehr University near Munich.

Pistorius said that the record attendance reflects the public’s “huge interest” in the armed forces.

He stressed that, against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, it is important for Germany to maintain resilience and readiness for new security challenges. The minister also noted growing interest among young people in military service.

According to him, last year the Bundeswehr recruited around 25,000 new service members — more than in many previous years.