Germany is to increase the size of its armed forces for the first time since the end of the Cold War to counter threats from Russia and the Islamic State group, it was announced yesterday (Tuesday).

The defence ministry on Tuesday released plans to recruit an additional 14,300 troops over the next seven years, to address the renewed confrontation with Moscow over Ukraine and bolster the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil).

“A quarter century of shrinking is over. It is time for the Bundeswehr to grow again,” Ursula von der Leyen, the defence minister said, announcing the expansion.

Under the plans, 7,000 new troops will be recruited initially, together with 4,400 civilian staff.