Official announcement from the German Ministry of Defense or Bundeswehr

German Military to Launch Homeland Defense Division with 6,000 Personnel by Mid-March

Jan 11, 2025, 10:32 AM

The German military, known as the Bundeswehr, is establishing a new division dedicated to homeland defense, marking the creation of a fourth major unit within the German Army. This new Homeland Defense Division, set to be operational by mid-March, will consist of both reservists and active soldiers and will be tasked with securing critical infrastructure and military facilities in Germany. The division's establishment comes in response to a changing threat landscape, as highlighted by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who has emphasized the need for Germany to be militarily capable in a defense scenario. The division will protect ports, railway facilities, pipelines, bridges, and digital infrastructure, among other key assets, in times of tension or crisis. In peacetime, the division can assist with major accidents, terrorist situations, or pandemics. The move is part of a broader restructuring effort within the Bundeswehr, which currently comprises three divisions, each with approximately 20,000 personnel. The new division will be under the direct command of the Army starting April 1, 2025, and is expected to grow to include six homeland defense regiments by summer, totaling around 6,000 personnel.