Germany Taps Older Reservists, France Prepares New Division for Major War

Germany plans to raise reservist age limits from 65 to 70 while France prepares a new division intended to protect critical infrastructure within the country. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Reservists of the German Armed Forces practice protecting defense-critical infrastructure during a training exercise as part of the regional territorial commands at the Luetzow Barracks in Muenster, western Germany on October 24, 2023. Reservists in the territorial reserve build bridges between the Bundeswehr and society. They are responsible for central homeland security tasks. These include providing comprehensive advisory services in the case of administrative assistance and disaster relief, performing guard and security duties and also carrying out important territorial tasks in the scope of national and collective defence operations. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Germany is proposing to raise the age limit for reservists, while France is preparing a new military division, as both countries ramp up efforts to strengthen their armed forces amid growing concerns over a potential large-scale war in Europe. In Germany, the proposal is to raise the age limit for reservists from 65 to 70 to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . According to Spiegel , the proposal was put forward by the new head of the German Reservists Association, Bastian Ernst. The initiative is driven by current demographic trends and the need to reinforce Germany’s military readiness. According to Ernst, amid a shortage of younger recruits, it is important not to overlook people who remain in good physical condition for longer and possess valuable life and professional experience. He also pointed to the general increase in the retirement age as an additional argument in favor of the change. In addition to raising the age limit, the proposal includes revising the procedure for participation in military exercises. Under current legislation, reservists take part in training only on a voluntary basis and with the consent of both the individual and their employer. However, Ernst argues that employers should not have the right to object if a reservist chooses to participate. At the same time, participation in exercises should remain voluntary for reservists themselves. Other Topics of Interest France, Germany Propose ‘Symbolic’ EU Membership Path for Ukraine Without Voting Rights Paris and Berlin are pushing a staged approach that would delay full access to EU funds and decision-making power. These proposals come against the backdrop of Germany’s long-term defense plans through 2035, which aim to increase the number of Bundeswehr personnel to 260,000 soldiers and 200,000 reservists. The current number of reservists in Germany is unclear, but Ernst estimates it at around 60,000. In the first two months of 2026, nearly 2,000 applications for conscientious objection to military service were filed in Germany. This accounts for more than half of the total number recorded in all of 2025, when 3,879 such applications were submitted. At the same time, interest in joining the Bundeswehr is also growing, as per the Deutsche Welle report. Since the beginning of the year, the number of applicants has increased by approximately 20% compared to the same period last year. In early December 2025, the Bundestag approved legislative changes requiring all 18-year-old men to complete a questionnaire about their physical fitness and willingness to serve in the Bundeswehr. For women, both the questionnaire and service remain voluntary. However, the move sparked protests , with schoolchildren and students taking to the streets after the government passed a draft law on gradual expansion of the armed forces. Earlier, on Nov. 28, the Bundestag approved Germany’s federal budget for 2026, increasing defense spending to around €108 billion ($127 billion) – the highest level since the end of the Cold War. Meanwhile, France is also stepping up military preparations. According to Forces Operations Blog , citing French Army Chief of Staff General Pierre Schille, the French military is working on the creation of a third division, which will be largely based on reservists. The new unit is intended to support territorial defense in the event of a large-scale crisis or war. Currently, the French Army has two divisions – the 1st Division in Besançon and the 3rd Division in Marseille. The new formation would become the third. If main forces are deployed to Eastern Europe, the new division would be tasked with protecting critical infrastructure within France. As of September 2025, France had 29,527 active reservists. The goal is to increase that number to 80,000 by 2030 and to 105,000 by 2035, with more than half serving in ground forces. From 2026, the French Army also plans to establish a dedicated reserve brigade, seen as an intermediate step toward forming the new division. Additional funding for equipping reservists and volunteer formations is expected to be included in an updated military programming law. In early April, the French government presented an updated defense investment plan that provides for increasing the military budget to €76 billion ($89 billion). According to the Spanish newspaper ABC , Paris is preparing its armed forces for the possibility of a large-scale conflict in Europe and is also competing with Berlin for leadership in defense policy. Despite a high budget deficit, the French government plans to invest an additional €36 billion ($42 billion) in defense by 2030. Since 2017, when President Emmanuel Macron took office, France’s defense budget has already doubled – from €32 billion ($42 billion) to €64 billion ($84 billion). The new plan provides an additional €8 billion ($9.4 billion) in 2028 and €9 billion ($10.6 billion) annually in 2029 and 2030. By the end of the decade, defense spending is expected to reach €76 billion ($89 billion) per year, or around 2.5% of GDP – still below the 5% target advocated by the United States under US President Donald Trump. The proposed changes will now need to be debated and approved by France’s National Assembly and Senate in the coming months. In November 2025, French Chief of the General Staff Fabien Mandon sparked controversy by urging society to be prepared to “lose our children” in a potential war with Russia by 2030. Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.