(de-news.net) – Eberhard Zorn, the former Inspector General of the German Armed Forces, has publicly advocated for the reimplementation of a mandatory national service framework in Germany. According to media reports, Zorn considers a general service obligation to be essential for fostering civic responsibility and national resilience. He maintains that every citizen should contribute one year of service to the country, whether through military engagement, social assistance, or technical support roles.
Expressing concern over the Bundeswehr’s current recruitment trajectory, Zorn questioned the feasibility of meeting personnel targets through voluntary enlistment alone. He argued that if voluntary service were sufficient, the armed forces would have already fulfilled their staffing objectives.
Zorn also dismissed proposals for a lottery-based conscription model, asserting that such mechanisms are inadequate for identifying suitable candidates for military service. He emphasized the necessity of evaluating entire age cohorts to ensure that the Bundeswehr can select individuals who meet its operational requirements. Furthermore, he called for the establishment of a structured expansion plan that would define annual recruitment targets. In his view, only through such a systematic approach can progress toward the Bundeswehr’s 2029 personnel goals be accurately monitored. He criticized the federal government’s handling of the lottery debate, describing its communication strategy as lacking in clarity and effectiveness.
In addition to his recommendations on service policy, Zorn urged a comprehensive enhancement of Germany’s drone defense infrastructure. He proposed equipping military installations with dedicated counter-drone systems and extending defensive authorizations to operators of critical infrastructure, including chemical plants and energy facilities. Zorn argued that relying solely on federal police intervention during emergencies is impractical. Instead, he suggested that on-site security personnel should be empowered and equipped with electronic disruption technologies to neutralize potential drone threats swiftly and autonomously.
