<div class="" data-article-body="true"><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Some of Europe's biggest Nato members are moving to strengthen their professional armies through voluntary national service schemes.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Large conscripted armies were a feature of Nato states during the Cold War but they dwindled in size after the collapse of the Soviet Union.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">However, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing war there have <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62v63gl8rvo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:kindled fears;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">kindled fears</a> of a possible future Russian attack on Nato.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Here we look at how this new recruitment drive is playing out among Nato's 30 European member states, many of whom still have conscript armies.</p><h2 class="mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl">Who conscripts?</h2><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Conscription is in place for nine of Europe's Nato states: <strong>Denmark</strong>, <strong>Estonia</strong>, <strong>Finland</strong>, <strong>Greece</strong>, <strong>Latvia</strong>,<strong> Lithuania</strong>, <strong>Norway,</strong> <strong>Sweden and Turkey</strong>.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">In Turkey, which has the second largest military in the security alliance after the US, men between the ages of 20 and 41 are obliged to do military service for between six and 12 months.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">By comparison, Norway conscripts both men and women, generally for 12 months.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><strong>Croatia</strong> plans to reintroduce conscription next year - it will become mandatory for men aged 19 to 29 to undergo two months of basic military training.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Other Nato members do not conscript but have professional militaries.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">The <strong>UK</strong>, which rivals France or Germany in conventional military strength (and is the only Nato state in Europe along with France to have nuclear weapons), relies on a professional army.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">It is unique among Nato members for recruiting minors - 16-year-olds may join with parental consent.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><strong>Albania</strong>, <strong>Czechia</strong>, <strong>Hungary</strong>, <strong>Italy</strong>, <strong>Luxembourg</strong>, <strong>Montenegro</strong>,<strong> North Macedonia</strong>, <strong>Portugal</strong>, <strong>Slovakia</strong>, <strong>Slovenia</strong> and <strong>Spain</strong> also have professional militaries.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><strong>Iceland</strong> has no regular military forces, though its Coast Guard performs some defence tasks.</p><figure class="relative mb-4"><div class="relative"><img alt="Map showing which Nato countries in Europe have national military service. It shows those with compulsory service in red (Greece, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), with Croatia which is planning to bring it in a lighter red, those with a voluntary service in blue (Belgium, Bulgaria, Poland, The Netherlands), with France, Germany and Romania which are planning to bring it in coloured a paler blue and those with no military service in yellow (Albania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom). It notes some countries have different rules for men and women." loading="lazy" width="960" height="1004" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" class="rounded-lg" style="color:transparent" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/VJuIzGx0bAT6YD3XZSv7NQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEwMDQ7Y2Y9d2VicA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/bbc_us_articles_995/68c6d46a2d05e8a75cf2c59415b604f1"><button aria-label="View larger image" class="group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent" data-ylk="elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;"><span class="absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none"><svg viewbox="0 0 22 22" aria-hidden="true" class="size-4 lg:size-6" width="22" height="22"><path d="M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z"></path></svg></span></button><dialog aria-label="Modal Dialog" aria-modal="true" class="fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden"></dialog></div><figcaption class="relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5"><div style="max-height:none;overflow:visible">[BBC]</div></figcaption></figure><h2 class="mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl">Who is looking for volunteers?</h2><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Only this month, <strong>Belgium</strong>'s defence ministry sent letters to 17-year-olds inviting them to volunteer for about €2,000 a month.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">The voluntary military service scheme, due to start next year, aims to raise the number of reservists in the army from a pool of about 6,000 to 20,000.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Belgium's neighbour, the <strong>Netherlands</strong>, launched voluntary military service in 2023 as it sought to underpin its professional armed forces.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><strong>Poland</strong>, which has one of Nato's biggest armies, launched one-month voluntary basic military training in 2024. This year, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans to introduce "large-scale military training for every adult male" in the country.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">"We're talking about the need to have an army of half a million in Poland, including the reservists," he said.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">In 2020, <strong>Bulgaria </strong>introduced voluntary military service for citizens up to the age of 40 for a period of six months and <strong>Romania</strong> plans to bring in four-month voluntary military service next year.</p><ul class="mb-4"><li class="ml-4 list-disc"><div class=""><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy83r93l208o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Poland announces military training plan for all men;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Poland announces military training plan for all men</a></p></div></li></ul><h2 class="mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl">How does Germany plan to build 'Europe's strongest army'?</h2><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Germany ended compulsory military service in 2011.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Its parliament has now voted in favour of instating military service on a voluntary basis. If the security situation worsens or if too few volunteers came forward, a form of compulsory military service could be considered.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">The new law will require all 18-year-old men to fill in a questionnaire asking if they are willing and able to join the armed forces, and from July 2027, undergo a medical examination to establish their suitability.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">If war were to break out, the military would be able to draw on the questionnaires and medical exams for potential recruits.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he wants to create the "strongest conventional army in Europe".</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">The plan is to expand the armed forces from the current 183,000 active service personnel to 260,000 by 2035 – plus 200,000 reservists.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Students in about 90 cities across the country took part in a school strike on 5 December in protest against the move, with some using the slogan "Don't end up as cannon fodder".</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">A recent Forsa survey of German public opinion for Stern magazine suggested that while just over half of respondents favoured compulsory service, opposition rose to 63% among 18 to 29-year-olds.</p><ul class="mb-4"><li class="ml-4 list-disc"><div class=""><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpkerdn9qo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Germany agrees new military service plan;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Germany agrees new military service plan</a></p></div></li></ul><h2 class="mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl">What are French teenagers being offered?</h2><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">France, which abolished military conscription 25 years ago, currently has around 200,000 military personnel and a further 47,000 reservists.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">A new scheme envisages adding volunteers to the structure.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Young men and women will be invited to serve for 10 months of paid military training.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">This new "national service" will be brought in gradually from next summer, mainly for 18 and 19-year-olds, who will receive at least €800 (£700) a month.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Initially, numbers will be restricted to 3,000 next year, but this should rise to 50,000 by 2035.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">"The only way to avoid danger is to prepare for it," President Emmanuel Macron said while announcing the plan. "We need to mobilise, mobilising the nation to defend itself, to be ready and remain respected."</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Polls suggest a large majority of the public favour voluntary military service. An Elabe survey found that 73% supported the measure. Young people – aged 25-34 – were the least supportive, but even in this age group there was a 60% majority.</p><ul class="mb-4"><li class="ml-4 list-disc"><div class=""><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0edw7g7z79o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:France to bring in form of military service;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">France to bring in form of military service</a></p></div></li></ul><h2 class="mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl">What about the rest of Europe?</h2><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Europe's other states take various approaches to staffing their militaries.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Among EU states not belonging to Nato:</p><ul class="mb-4"><li class="ml-4 list-disc"><div class=""><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><strong>Austria </strong>has a system of compulsory military service for men aged between 18 and 35, who are required to serve for around six months or take part in alternative service. Women can serve voluntarily</p></div></li></ul><ul class="mb-4"><li class="ml-4 list-disc"><div class=""><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><strong>Cyprus</strong> has compulsory military service for all male citizens over 18, along with some of those who are of Cypriot descent. Women can enlist voluntarily after a law passed parliament in April</p></div></li></ul><ul class="mb-4"><li class="ml-4 list-disc"><div class=""><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Both the <strong>Republic of Ireland </strong>and <strong>Malta</strong> have professional militaries</p></div></li></ul><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">In <strong>Switzerland</strong>, a non-EU country, male citizens aged 18 to 30 must serve in the military, or join civil defence or an alternate civilian service.</p><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words">Last week, Swiss voters widely rejected a proposal to extend national service - in the military, civil protection teams or other forms - to women.</p><ul class="mb-4"><li class="ml-4 list-disc"><div class=""><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpq4e21nr5vo?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:What latest Ukraine talks reveal about Putin's state of mind;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">What latest Ukraine talks reveal about Putin's state of mind</a></p></div></li><li class="ml-4 list-disc"><div class=""><p class="mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly41x7eg71o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Nato must switch to a wartime mindset, warns secretary general;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Nato must switch to a wartime mindset, warns secretary general</a></p></div></li></ul></div>

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