German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attend a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of Germany's accession to NATO, at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 28, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's armed forces reported a 28% surge in soldier recruits from January to late July, compared with the same period last year, bolstering plans to boost NATO defences in response to what it sees as an increased threat from Russia.
The Defence Ministry said on Thursday more than 13,700 people had joined the Bundeswehr - the army, air force, navy and other forces - in that period, in what it said was the steepest rise for years.
