Lithuania brigade faces volunteer shortage, conscription weighed

The Bundeswehr has failed to recruit sufficient volunteers for the brigade planned for permanent stationing in Lithuania, according to Spiegel. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Inspector General Carsten Breuer are now considering mandatory conscription as a defeat of their earlier promise to find enough volunteers. The army stated that full operational readiness of the Lithuanian brigade is the top priority for next year. Redirecting military specialists could create shortages within Germany, especially in the IT sector.