German reservists' chief calls for higher age limit to boost defence

The head of Germany's reservists' association has called for raising the age limit for reservists to strengthen the country's defence capabilities, saying older volunteers could help offset recruitment shortfalls.

"We should increase the age limit for reservists from 65 to 70," association president Bastian Ernst told Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, arguing that people are staying fit for longer as the retirement age rises.

"We should not waste the resources of people with life and professional experience," he said, adding that shortages among younger recruits made it necessary to draw more on older age groups.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is due on Wednesday to present Germany's new military strategy and a report on the armed forces's capabilities, outlining how the country plans to respond to threats.

Reservists are currently not obliged to take part in military exercises, and both they and their employers must consent to participation - a system that has long faced criticism.

Ernst said employers should no longer have the right to object if reservists are called up for exercises, though participation should remain voluntary for reservists themselves.

Germany aims to expand its armed forces to at least 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists by 2035. The reserve force is expected to be built largely from men and women completing a new form of military service for which the legal framework has been in place since the start of the year.

The exact number of reservists is currently unclear, Ernst said. Around 8 to 9 million people have served in the armed forces, and about 60,000 were formally assigned and available at short notice, he added. The reservists' association has roughly 110,000 members.