NATO to Ask Germany for Seven More Brigades Amid Rising Threat from Russia

NATO is set to ask Germany to provide seven additional brigades—roughly 40,000 troops—as part of a major increase in the alliance’s military readiness in response to the continued threat posed by Russia, The Gaze reports, citing Reuters.

The request is part of NATO’s revised capability targets, which are expected to be finalized at the upcoming defence ministers’ meeting next week, ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague in June.

According to a senior military official, NATO aims to increase the total number of allied brigades from around 80 to between 120 and 130—marking a 50% surge in troop contributions.

Germany had previously committed to supplying 10 brigades by 2030 and is currently operating eight, with a ninth under development in Lithuania. Meeting the new request will be a major challenge for the German Bundeswehr, which remains short by 20,000 regular troops from its 203,000 goal.

NATO officials describe the new force goals as “ambitious,” noting they are aligned with updated defence plans designed to counter potential Russian military aggression. The targets remain classified due to security reasons.

The move comes amid U.S. signals of a potential troop drawdown in Europe, which has raised alarms among NATO members given the alliance’s continued reliance on U.S. military assets. Washington is expected to consult its allies on the matter later this year.

In tandem with troop increases, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will seek to boost the alliance’s defence spending targets at the June summit. The proposed new goal: 5% of national GDP, with 3.5% earmarked for military defence and 1.5% for broader security expenditures.

Germany, in a historic shift, recently relaxed its constitutional debt brake to allow greater defence investment and has backed the 5% target. Its Chief of Defence, General Carsten Breuer, has pledged to ensure German forces are fully equipped by 2029—by which time NATO estimates Russia could rebuild sufficient strength to threaten the alliance directly.

With growing geopolitical tensions and pressure from both NATO and the United States, Germany is poised to play a central role in securing Europe’s eastern flank.

As The Gaze previously reported, Germany is undertaking a substantial expansion of its armored tank brigade stationed in Lithuania as part of NATO’s strategic effort to reinforce the alliance’s eastern defenses amid escalating tensions with Russia.