Defense Minister zu Guttenberg proposed to cut by one-third to 163,500 the number of Bundeswehr soldiers over the next few years and suspend the draft in the short term.

But Karl-Georg zu Guttenberg stressed that it was important conscription retains its place in the constitution, in case it becomes viable again in the future. "By the end of the year it ought to become clear that the Bundeswehr will become smaller, but better," Guttenberg said after discussing his proposals with government coalition partners.

Knock-on effects

The chosen model would mean a reduction in the professional standing army from around 195,000 soldiers to 156,000.The cuts mean that the army would be left with three tank battalions, two artillery battalions and one paratrooper regiment.

The civilian service alternative to military conscription, an important provider of labor to Germany's care homes, will also be suspended. Family Minister Kristina Schroeder proposed on Monday to introduce a national voluntary community service.

Germany has conscripted young men into its armed forces since 1957 "I'm not giving myself hope that we can completely replace what we have now," Schroeder told reporters in Berlin. But she celebrated the fact that women would be able to perform community service for the first time.

The proposal to suspend rather than scrap conscription altogether postpones a contentious debate that has been bedevilling Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition in recent weeks.

Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) sees itself as a staunch defender of compulsory military service, though its military impracticality and high cost have long threatened the ideal of a 'citizen's army.'

'Voluntary conscription'

Guttenberg, of the CDU's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, hopes to mollify his party colleagues with the new "voluntary military service" model, which he says represents "a modern variation for the citizen to take on responsibility."

The government is hoping to attract volunteers to sign on to this new scheme for up to 23 months by promising driver's licenses, university places and other fringe benefits. Women would be included amongst an estimated 7,500 army volunteers.

The Defense Ministry is aiming to cut some 8.3 billion euros ($10.6 billion) off its budget over the next four years, though Guttenberg warned that savings in new armament projects would also be needed.

Agencies