Amid increasing threats from Russia and its invasion of Ukraine, several European countries including Latvia, Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, and Finland are reintroducing or expanding compulsory military service to enhance their defense capabilities. Latvia reinstated conscription on January 1, 2024, requiring males to be drafted within 12 months of turning 18 or upon educational graduation. Norway plans to nearly double its defense budget and increase conscripts by over 20,000, with mandatory conscription for both genders since 2015. Sweden and Finland maintain large reserve forces activated through conscription, with Sweden’s numbers rising in 2025 and Finland capable of activating over 900,000 reservists. Germany has proposed a voluntary military service plan by 2029 amid a cultural shift towards militarization. NATO has increased troop readiness to 500,000 but still faces challenges meeting personnel targets for a protracted conflict. Experts emphasize the need for modernization of recruitment and defense capacity in response to Russia's evolving military threat and hybrid warfare tactics across Europe.

Amid increasing threats from Russia and its invasion of Ukraine, several European countries including Latvia, Norway, Sweden, Lithuania, and Finland are reintroducing or expanding compulsory military service to enhance their defense capabilities. Latvia reinstated conscription on January 1, 2024, requiring males to be drafted within 12 months of turning 18 or upon educational graduation. Norway plans to nearly double its defense budget and increase conscripts by over 20,000, with mandatory conscription for both genders since 2015. Sweden and Finland maintain large reserve forces activated through conscription, with Sweden’s numbers rising in 2025 and Finland capable of activating over 900,000 reservists. Germany has proposed a voluntary military service plan by 2029 amid a cultural shift towards militarization. NATO has increased troop readiness to 500,000 but still faces challenges meeting personnel targets for a protracted conflict. Experts emphasize the need for modernization of recruitment and defense capacity in response to Russia's evolving military threat and hybrid warfare tactics across Europe.