The Bundeswehr facing radical upheaval | People & Politics

The German armed forces are set for the biggest reforms in the history of the Federal Republic. Under pressure to cut costs, Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg is planning to reduce the military to two-thirds of its current size. Compulsory service is apparently to be scrapped - though not removed in principle from the constitution.The proportion of career soldiers would also increase. There is still resistance to the plans, and Chancellor Angela Merkel has yet to decide the issue.