The conscription model is being drawn up by Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, who has vowed to transform Germany into a “kriegstüchtigkeit” or “war-ready” nation.
Mr Pistorius is in favour of the so-called Swedish model, where 100,000 18-year-olds are screened annually, but only the top 5 per cent end up serving.
He unveiled parts of the conscription model in June, saying it would involve questionnaires for about 50,000 young people followed by medical screening and the recruitment of a select 5,000 people for six months of service.
“The law should come into force before the summer break so that we can utilise the first capacities before the end of 2025,” he said.
A more ambitious option would be full conscription for all 18-years-olds, male and female, though the Bundeswehr is said to lack the capacity to take on such a huge number of recruits.
In an interview with the Telegraph earlier this year, Gen Breuer said he had “no doubt” his army could repel a Russian invasion on Nato’s eastern flank, even if it occurred in the near future.
“The paramount importance [is] of achieving the readiness of Germany’s armed forces within the next five years. We call this kriegstüchtigkeit – being ready, capable and willing to fight. We are on the right track,” he said.