The German army has set a goal of increasing the number of military personnel from 62,000 to 100,000 by 2029 to meet new NATO requirements and improve readiness for threats from Russia, Reuters reports.

The document states that by 2029, the German army needs to add about 100,000 active servicemembers to its current 62,000 to meet new NATO standards and enhance readiness against threats from Russia. Mais emphasized that achieving these goals is impossible with the current force,

Germany's army needs to add 100,000 active troops to its existing 62,000 to meet new NATO targets intended to boost preparedness for the growing threat of Russian aggression, its commander says in a confidential paper seen by Reuters on Thursday.

Amid rising tensions between NATO and Russia, Moscow and Belarus are holding military exercises starting on Friday that include "planning the use of nuclear weapons" and testing ballistic missiles, the state-run Tass news agency reported.

Germany must expand its army significantly to meet NATO targets amid rising tensions with Russia. Army Chief Alfons Mais suggests a 100,000 troop increase by 2035, essential for crisis preparedness. Germany is already deploying forces in Eastern Europe.

European leaders on Thursday expressed alarm over growing Russian hostility threatening their countries as Moscow's forces pursue their invasion of Ukraine -- concerns exacerbated by events of the previous day when multiple Russian drones struck Polish soil.

German arms giant Rheinmetall plans to manufacture artillery shells for Ukrainian forces at a future production plant in Ukraine, Kyiv's defence minister said on Thursday.

Poland said 19 Russian drones entered its airspace early on Wednesday. After the drones were shot down with NATO assistance, leaders across Europe condemned the incident.

Russia and key ally Belarus have begun joint military drills, amid tensions with NATO countries after Poland accused Moscow of breaching its airspace with attack drones. European leaders on Thursday expressed alarm over growing Russian hostility threatening their countries as Moscow's forces pursue their invasion of Ukraine.