GERMAN army commanders have called for tougher security checks on recruits after admitting more than 60 Islamic militants are suspected of infiltrating its ranks.

Senior military officials said all applicants should now be screened by the intelligence services for jihadist links before they begin basic training.

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen visits Reconnaissance Battalion 13 Credit: DPA

More than 60 Islamic fundamentalists are believed to have secretly joined the German army Credit: PA:Press Association

And they disclosed that 64 Islamists are already feared to have embedded themselves within the armed forces, along with 268 right-wing extremists and six left-wing extremists.

Terrorists are attracted to the army because they can use the training to plot future terror attacks in Germany, it's been reported in Germany.

“The German Army trains all of its members in the handling and usage of weapons of war,” a leaked report said, “[terrorists] could use those skills acquired in the army to carry out well-prepared acts of violence at home or abroad.”

The screening proposals would lead to a major overhaul of the country’s recruiting policy as under the current system soldiers are only checked for Islamist ties once they have enlisted, reports the Telegraph.

They would also require an extra 90 military officials to be hired in order to carry out a further 20,000 checks per year.

The reforms, which would cost an estimated 8.2 million euros (£6.9m) per year, are expected to be approved by German commanders this week.

Germany is on high alert following a spate of deadly attacks last July, two of which were claimed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS).

German soldiers with a Luna drone during routine training Credit: Reuters

Islamic State militants silhouetted during a twilight battle along the border of Iraq and Syria Credit: Alamy

On July 18 an Afghan refugee attacked passengers with an axe on a regional train in southern Germany, injuring four. He was shot by police.

Officials said they found an ISIS flag in the 17-year-old’s room and it later emerged that he had pledged allegiance to the group in a video posted online.

A week later, on July 25th, a Syrian refugee blew himself up in the southern town of Ansbach, killing himself in the blast and wounding 12 others.

When police raided his flat they found violent videos, bomb making materials and a message on his mobile phone in which he said he carried out the attack on behalf of ISIS.