Germany's Defense Ministry plans to increase its military because of the growth of new threats and tasks the Bundeswehr faces today. By the end of 2024 Germany’s military will increase by 20 thousand up to 198 thousand soldiers and officers, reports DW. The jobs for the civilians in the armed forces will rise to 61 400.

According to the German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, the main tasks of the armed forces are to fight against IS, fulfill missions in Mali and Afghanistan, as well as participate in NATO missions in the Baltic countries.

After the Cold War, Germany preserved only a professional military and, thereby, reduced its number. In 1990s, there served about 585 000 soldiers and officers in Bundeswehr, whereas now there are about 168 thousand professional soldiers and 10 thousand soldiers, who voluntarily entered the service.