Europe’s Race to Reinforce Its Armies Amid Rising Threats
So right now, Europe is entering a moment that feels both familiar and brand new. After decades of shrinking defence budgets and downsizing their armies, European countries are suddenly being pushed to rethink everything. And at the center of this shift is France, which is preparing to unveil a major move: Emmanuel Macron is expected to announce the return of military service—this time as a voluntary system—almost 30 years after conscription was abolished. It’s a symbolic step, but also a practical one, reflecting a broader fear that’s spreading across the continent.
A lot of this urgency is tied to Russia. Even though Moscow has suffered significant losses in Ukraine, European military planners still see it as a very real threat, one that could materialize anywhere between two and five years from now. And with the US signaling that Europe must take far more responsibility for its own security, the old assumption that America would always carry most of the weight is being quietly retired.
But expanding armies isn’t just about buying equipment—it’s also about people. And that is where things become complicated. Many European countries are struggling to recruit enough full-time soldiers or maintain active reserves. France’s top general, Fabien Mandon, sparked national outrage recently when he said the country must be ready “to lose its children,” a blunt acknowledgment of what real conflict could demand. It was a shocking comment, but it captured the underlying concern: Europe wants stronger militaries, but is its population actually prepared for what that means?
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Across the EU, different countries are tackling this challenge in different ways. In northern and Baltic nations, conscription has remained part of national culture. Finland has one of the world’s strongest reserve forces thanks to universal male conscription, while Sweden revived a selective draft in 2018 that now includes both men and women. Denmark even extended its service to 11 months and now includes women as well. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania rely on forms of conscription too, sometimes using lotteries when volunteers fall short.
Further south and east, the trend is spreading. Croatia has already restored conscription. Poland wants to train every adult male and dramatically expand its army. And even in places where mandatory service is politically sensitive—like Germany—leaders have been forced into intense debates. Germany recently chose a voluntary system, but has openly admitted that if recruitment numbers don’t improve, compulsory service could return.
What’s interesting is that many Europeans actually support some form of mandatory service. Recent polls show majorities in France, Germany, and Poland are open to it. Still, voluntary service is usually seen as producing more motivated and professional soldiers. The downside? It’s expensive, and volunteers alone may not provide the scale governments now believe is necessary.
So Europe is trying to strike a balance. Leaders want larger armies and stronger reserves, but they also know that conscription can backfire if the public isn’t fully on board. Building a culture of service—especially in countries that haven’t had conscription for a generation—will take time, debate, and a genuine shift in mindset.
What’s clear is that a new era of European defense is taking shape, and nations across the continent are adjusting fast, hoping they aren’t already behind the curve.
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