Germany faces military shortages as Typhoon Dolphin approaches China

German reservists in the Bundeswehr are reportedly forced to take weapons and equipment from regular soldiers to conduct their own training exercises. Bastian Ernst, President of the Reservists' Association and a member of the Bundestag, stated that this practice is driven by insufficient quantities of available military hardware and equipment.

Furthermore, meeting reserve strength targets for 2027–2028 may prove impossible without reinstating compulsory military service. While current German law maintains a voluntary force, provisions exist to return to mandatory service if volunteer numbers fall or security situations deteriorate.

In East Asia, China is preparing for the impact of Typhoon Dolphin, which is expected to strike the eastern coast with sustained winds of up to 162 km/h. Authorities in Shanghai have ordered more than 500 ships to return to port at Yangshan. Measures have been taken to secure coastal workers and monitor landslide-prone areas.

Prior to hitting China, the typhoon passed through Okinawa, Japan, where it injured six people and caused power outages for over 50,000 consumers.