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Bundeswehr Courts Recruits at Cologne Fitness Expo as Germany Expands Forces
The military is using obstacle courses, combat demos and prizes to reach young volunteers as Germany seeks tens of thousands of new recruits.
- The Bundeswehr staffed a prominent recruitment booth at the FIBO fitness expo in Cologne, deploying 92 personnel with obstacle courses, combat demonstrations, and a Fennek armoured reconnaissance vehicle to attract young volunteers.
- Berlin plans to increase troop strength to 260,000 soldiers by 2035, up from the current 185,000, while seeking volunteers to bolster military readiness without reinstating mandatory conscription suspended in 2011.
- Lieutenant Peter, commanding the booth, noted the expo effectively targets "young, athletic, motivated people," while 31-year-old Franz set the day's record completing 50 jumping jacks, 20 squats, 10 press-ups and five burpees in 46 seconds.
- Visitor Linda Reinhard, 33, completed a combat course wearing a 13-kilogramme vest and said troops "contribute to making us feel safe," noting public perception of the Bundeswehr has improved in recent years.
- Politician Friedrich Merz has called for Germany to become Europe's leading conventional military power, with this recruitment effort supporting broader rearmament pushes by European NATO allies to strengthen deterrence against a hostile Russia.
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33 Articles
33 Articles
In the face of its objectives of rearmament and a country always marked by its pacifist past, the Bundeswehr multiplies seduction operations, up to the fitness fairs, to attract young people without conscription.
Cologne fitness expo: Fit in fatigues: German army presses recruitment drive
·Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
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Total News Sources33
Leaning Left2Leaning Right7Center14Last UpdatedBias Distribution61% Center
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources are Center
61% Center
C 61%
R 30%
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