Germany's military has been rocked by reports of widespread sexual harassment and right-wing extremism in an elite paratroop unit, as an initiative begins to expand the armed forces with thousands of new recruits.

The German military is sending out the first questionnaires for 18-year-olds to complete under the country's new military service programme. The letters containing the documents have been packed and were to be sent out on Thursday,

The 26th Parachute Regiment is one of the German armed forces’ most elite units. Made up of around 1,700 soldiers, it has been called upon for foreign deployments and war zone evacuations in countries such as Afghanistan, Mali and Sudan.

Visitors to Gamescom sit in front of computer simulation games at the Bundeswehr stand in Cologne, Germany, on Aug. 21, 2025. The German army is recruiting new recruits at the computer game fair. (Oliver Berg / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP) BERLIN (AFP ...

Germany has raised the prospect of a military involvement in securing a potential ceasefire in Ukraine during a meeting of Kiev's allies in Paris. "This could include, for example, us registering forces for Ukraine on neighbouring NATO territory after a ceasefire,

Kiel, Germany - On the FGS Pegnitz, a German mine-hunting boat off the northern Baltic coast, a sharp command cut through the sea air. “Portside 10!” shouted Mathis Kramer, 17. “Portside 20!” Kramer shouted moments later, as the navy vessel tilted ...

BERLIN — Germany’s military has dismissed nine soldiers from an elite paratrooper regiment following investigations into allegations of right-wing extremism, sexual misconduct and drug abuse, army chief Maj. Gen. Christian Freuding said Wednesday.

ROSTOCK, Germany — Germany is leading a major military exercise that focuses on moving troops and equipment to Lithuania as tensions with Russia on the eastern fringe of NATO simmer. The German military leadership joined ambassadors of the Baltic nations ...

ROSTOCK, Germany (AP) — Germany has committed billions to beefing up its military’s equipment after years of neglect. Now it’s trying to persuade more people to join up and serve. Today in History: January 11, Mark McGwire admits to steroids use ...

The unease is acute in Paris, where some worry that the continent’s center of political gravity is moving east as Berlin boosts its defense spending to levels its allies can’t match.