Germany is to cut its size of armed forces by nearly one fifth in the next six to eight years. Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere has said the number of armed forces will be shed to between 175,000 and 185,000 . Troops will be cut by 45,000 while civilian position will be reduced by 21,000 to 55,000. Troops deployed overseas will increase from the current 7,000 to 10,000. The Defence Minister said the goal of the reform was to make German army more financially sustainable and more effective for international mission through streamlining structure and reducing bureaucracy.