German Armed Forces constitute a complex set of government organizational structures for various purposes and are one of the most modern and combat-ready armies in Europe.
Reforms and state of defense
November 12, 1955 is considered the day of the actual formation of the German Armed Forces, or the Bundeswehr. Over the 60 years of its existence, the Bundeswehr has been repeatedly reformed. However, not all transformation approaches have proven viable in practical and financial terms. The start of hostilities against terror, proclaimed by the West after the attack on the United States on September 11, 2001, led to another revision of approaches to military construction.
At the same time, it became clear to the military-political leadership of the FRG that in the modern world, which is different from the static conditions of the Cold War, it is impossible to unambiguously determine the final parameters of the ongoing transformations. Insofar as modern environment security policy is subject to rapid change - there is no detailed reform that should immediately solve all the problems of the Bundeswehr. As a result, it appeared new approach, which consists in the continuous process of adapting the Bundeswehr to emerging challenges and denoted by the term "transformation".
The purpose of this process was to create and maintain the operational capabilities of the armed forces in a rapidly changing environment. In the interests of supporting the Ministry of Defense in the implementation of the transformation process in 2004. the Bundeswehr Transformation Center (Zentrum für Transformation der Bundeswehr, ZTransfBw) was formed.
One of the consequences of the initiated transformation was the suspension by the federal government in December 2010. call for military service. At the same time, the then Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu GUTTENBERG ( Karl-Theodorzu Guttenberg) initiated and his successor Thomas de MEISIERES ( Thomas de Maiziè re) March 2013 presented to the public the next reform program, called "Reorientation of the Bundeswehr" ( Neuausrichtung der Bundeswehr). According to experts, the "reorientation" covers almost all aspects of the activities of the Bundeswehr and can be considered the most comprehensive reform of the German Armed Forces since their formation.
State of defense
According to the German Constitution, the need for a country to use defensive actions is called a state of defense ( Verteidigungsfall). Upon transition to the state of defense, according to Article 115b of the German Constitution, the powers of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (Inhaber der Befehls- und Kommandogewal, IBuK) are transferred to the current Federal Chancellor.
The Bundeswehr is an army under parliamentary control. Its armed mission is carried out by decision of the German Bundestag. If the situation requires immediate action, then in accordance with special provision Art. 115a, paragraph 2 of the Constitution, the decision on the use of the Armed Forces may be taken by the Joint Committee of the country. According to the provisions of Article 115a, paragraph 4 of the Constitution, if the country was attacked, and the authorized federal bodies cannot declare the transition to a state of defense, the statement of such a transition is determined by the very fact of the attack.
Purpose and tasks
In accordance with Article 87a, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, the Federation creates the armed forces for defense. The tasks and missions of the Bundeswehr arising from this provision are conceptually described in the White Paper ( Weissbuch) and over time are subject to change to the same extent as the situation with geopolitical security.
During the confrontation between East and West, protection against attack from the East was the main task of the Bundeswehr. Since 1990 the range of its tasks has changed significantly: in addition to the classical defense of the state, participation in foreign operations has come to the fore. According to former Defense Minister Peter Struc, defense Federal Republic Germany "not only in the Hindelang, but also in the Hindu Kush" (" nicht mehr nur in Hindelang, sondern auch am Hindukusch").
Entrance to the territory of the German Ministry of Defense purpose
According to the "Guidelines for Defense Policy" ( verteidigungspolitischen Richtlinien, VPR), published in May 2011, and the White Paper 2016, the German Armed Forces, as part of a whole-of-country approach, are intended to:
- protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Germany and its citizens;
- ensuring the stability of the state and society to external threats;
- guaranteeing and supporting the capacity of Germany in the field of foreign policy and security;
- to contribute together with partners and allies in defense against security policy threats to open societies and free and safe ways world trade and supply;
- protecting Germany's allies and their citizens;
- promoting security and stability in international context, strengthening European integration, transatlantic partnership and multinational cooperation.
Tasks of the German Armed Forces
From this mission stem the tasks of the Bundeswehr:
- defense of territory and allies within NATO and the EU;
- defense of the homeland, prevention of national crises and risks, as well as the provision of additional services by Germany in international crisis management, including active military and civil-military participation;
- partnership and cooperation also outside the EU and NATO;
- humanitarian emergency and disaster relief, taking responsibility for solving humanitarian problems.
Additionally, the tasks that must be performed continuously by the aircraft are defined:
- defensive aspects of nationwide digital (in Western terminology - cybernetic) security, contribution to the nationwide picture of the situation in the digital and information space in the framework of ensuring national and international security, as well as guaranteeing the cybersecurity of armed forces networks;
- support and development of national key technology areas, as well as encouragement of partnerships, in particular with regard to European and Atlantic approaches to research, development and use of available opportunities;
- carrying out all necessary measures to support enterprises within the country, including the implementation of departmental tasks, determining qualifications, conducting primary training, advanced training and retraining of personnel, supporting combat and operational training, military security and order.
R leadership and structure
Top leadership of the German Armed Forces
The supreme governing body of the Bundeswehr is the Federal Ministry of Defense ( Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, BMVg). The Ministry is headed by the Federal Minister of Defense, who Peaceful time is the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces. This position since December 17, 2013. occupied by Ursula Gertrud von der LEYEN ( Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen). The Minister of Defense is a member of the German federal government.
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen The Ministry of Defense is not part of the Bundeswehr, but, as the highest federal agency, is called upon to support the minister in the implementation of the tasks of commanding the armed forces. Subordinate to the minister are two secretaries of state and two parliamentary secretaries of state, as well as the Inspector General of the Armed Forces. The Secretary of Defense, the Secretaries of State and the Inspector General together form the top leadership of the Department of Defense.
The Inspector General, or Inspector General of the Bundeswehr with the rank of general or admiral, is the highest military adviser to the German federal government. He is a member of the Federal Ministry of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of all members of the Armed Forces. In peacetime, the inspector general reports to the Minister of Defense, in a state of defense - to the Federal Chancellor. In addition, it is subordinate to the State Secretaries of the Ministry of Defense (the primacy of politics). The Inspector General is responsible for the overall concept of military defense and is personally responsible to the Minister of Defense for directing the operations of the Bundeswehr.
Inspector General of the Bundeswehr General Eberhard ZORN General structure of the Armed Forces
The Bundeswehr, subordinated to the Ministry of Defense, has a military and civilian component, or armed forces ( Streitkrafte) and military administration Bundeswehrverwaltung), respectively. The management of the military and civilian components in the structure of the Ministry of Defense is carried out by the appointed departments of the Ministry.
Military establishment
The German Armed Forces are divided into three types of armed forces and interspecific components. To the types of armed forces ( Teilstreitkrafte) relate :
- (Heer);
- (Luftwaffe);
- (marine).
Interspecific components of the aircraft include:
- (Streitkraftebasis);
- (Cyber— und informationsraum);
- (Zentrale Sanitätsdienst).
The listed types of the Armed Forces and interspecific components are subordinate to the respective commands, which are headed by the corresponding inspectors with the rank of general.
In addition, the Armed Forces include instances directly subordinate to the Ministry of Defense, and in official terms to the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr. These include:
Office of Military Counterintelligence ( Amt für den Militärischen Abschirmdienst, MAD);
Joint Operational Command of the Bundeswehr ( Einsatzführungskommando der Bundeswehr);
Higher Academy of Management of the Bundeswehr ( Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr);
Control air traffic Bundeswehr ( Luftfahrtamt der Bundeswehr);
Planning Office of the Bundeswehr ( Planungsamt der Bundeswehr);
propaganda center ( Zentrum Innere Führung, ZInFü).
Military administration
The administration of the Bundeswehr is in charge of meeting the material needs of the Armed Forces, ensuring its daily activities, and the selection and placement of personnel. Functionally, the administration is divided into three areas of responsibility: "Infrastructure, environmental protection and ensuring daily activities" ( Infrastruktur, Umweltschutz und Dienstleistungen, IUD), "Armament, information Technology and combat use ( Ausrüstung, Information technology and Nutzung, AIN), as well as "Personnel" ( Personal).
To solve practical problems within the indicated areas of responsibility, the following main institutions were formed during the reorientation of the Bundeswehr:
Federal Office for Infrastructure, Environment and Daily Operations ( Bundesamt für Infrastruktur, Umweltschutz und Dienstleistungen der Bundeswehr, BAIUDBw);
Federal Office for Armaments, Information Technology and Applications of the Bundeswehr ( Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr, BAAINBw);
Federal Personnel Office of the Bundeswehr ( Bundesamt für das Personalmanagement der Bundeswehr, BAPersBw);
Bundeswehr Education Center ( Bildungszentrum der Bundeswehr, BIZBw);
Federal Office for Foreign Languages ( Bundesprachenamt, BSprA);
two universities of the Bundeswehr ( Universitäten der Bundeswehr, Unibw): in Munich ( Universität der Bundeswehr München, (UniBwM) and the Helmut Schmidt University in Hamburg ( Helmut-Schmidt-Universität – Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg , UniBwH/HSU).
In addition, the military administration of the Bundeswehr, as independent parts, includes legal protection authorities ( Rechtspflege der Bundeswehr, RPflegeBw) and military church service ( Militaryseelsorge).
The bodies of legal protection include: the federal military prosecutor for administrative and disciplinary issues at the highest federal administrative court ( Bundeswehrdisziplinaranwalt beim Bundesverwaltungsgericht) and military disciplinary courts, or courts of first instance "North" and "South" ( Truppendienstgerichten Nord und Süd)
The issues of religious worship in the German Armed Forces are in charge of the Catholic Bishopric of the Armed Forces ( Katholische Militarbischofsamt) and the Bundeswehr Evangelical Office for Church Affairs ( Evangelische Kirchenamt fur die Bundeswehr).
Staff
All personnel of the German armed forces can be divided into three main groups: military personnel, civil servants and reservists.
military personnel
Following the federal government's refusal to conscript military service members ( personnel) of the Bundeswehr is divided into three categories: military personnel doing military service voluntarily ( Freiwilliger Wehrdienstleistender, FWDL); military personnel on contract Zeitsoldat) and professional military personnel ( Berufsoldat).
Volunteer military personnel must be over 17 years of age. The duration of their service is from 12 to 23 months. The military personnel of this category form the basis of the enlisted personnel group. Former volunteers who wish to extend their military service can enter the service under the contract. The contract is signed for a period of 2 to 15 years. Contract servicemen make up groups of privates, non-commissioned officers and officers. Former contract servicemen who filed a report and passed professional selection may become professional military personnel. They make up groups of non-commissioned officers and officers.
According to the personnel department of the German Ministry of Defense as of November 30, 2017. the total strength of the Bundeswehr was 179,408 troops. Of these, it includes:
the Ministry of Defense - 1,000 people;
instances directly subordinate to the Ministry of Defense - 2,243 people;
ground forces - 60,582 people;
Air Force - 28,090 people;
Navy - 16,213 people;
joint support forces - 28,453 people;
central medical and sanitary service - 20,079 people;
cyber operations force and information support- 12 519 people;
administrative regions
"Infrastructure, environmental protection and ensuring daily activities" - 987 people;
"Armament, information technology and combat use" - 1,566 people;
"Personnel" - 7,676 people, of which 4,097 people. study at the universities of the Bundeswehr.
Civil Specialists
There are about 96.6 thousand civil servants in the Bundeswehr. Of these: about 24.5 thousand are in the state civil service, about 67.8 thousand are civilian employees of departments and departments, about 4.3 thousand are being trained or are on probation in the state civil service. Of this total number of personnel, approximately 23.9 thousand employees are not in active service for various reasons. Thus, there is an active staff of about 72.7 thousand civil servants.
Bundeswehr reserve
The reserve can be military, territorial and general.
Troop reserve includes individual positions and additional military units that are deployed as needed. As a rule, reservists are persons with special civilian qualifications, which the armed forces do not have in sufficient numbers. They are necessary for the operational readiness of additional units and posts in peacetime and to ensure readiness for defense. This also includes the so-called "mirror positions" for the necessary replacement of an active soldier who is absent for any reason.
Reservists, especially those with specialized civilian knowledge, are also used in foreign operations. This applies, for example, to medical specialists, such as gynecologists or paediatricians, who are not in active service in the Bundeswehr, but whose knowledge is especially needed in humanitarian operations.
Territorial reserve includes headquarters in the districts and regions of Germany, military-civilian cooperation bases in Germany ( Zivil— Militä rische Zusammenarbeit im inland, ZMZ— I), as well as new regional security and support forces ( Regionale Sicherungs- und Unterstützungskräften). A total of 30 companies of the territorial reserve are subordinated to the regional commands of the federal lands.
General reserve includes all other reservists and ensures the possibility of a long-term increase in the size of the Bundeswehr.
It is planned to have a total reserve of about 90 thousand people.
With the beginning of the reform of the "reorientation" of the Bundeswehr, a new total staff strength of the Armed Forces was established in the amount of up to 185 thousand military personnel ( PSM 185), of which 170 thousand contract and professional military personnel, 2.5 thousand reservists, as well as from 5 to 12.5 thousand volunteers. The volume of civilian positions in the armed forces (ie not in the military administration of the Bundeswehr) should be 18.7 thousand people.
As part of the "turn in personnel policy" initiated by Minister of Defense Ursula von der LEYEN (" Trendwende Personal"), the number of contract servicemen and professional servicemen should increase from 170 to 177 thousand people. in the period from 2016 to 2021. In general, until 2023 it is planned to create 14.3 thousand additional service positions. As a first target by the end of 2016. it was supposed to again reach the number of military personnel under the contract and professionals in 170 thousand people. However, this failed: their number was only 168,342 people.
Bundeswehr
Tanks Leopard 1 Leopard 2
BMP Schutzenpanzer Kurz HS.30 Puma
BTR UR-416 Spz 2 Luchs Condor UR-425 TPz 1 Fuchs Boxer
Armored cars Dingo ATF Fennek Kanonenjagdpanzer Jaguar 1 Jaguar 2
tank destroyers
Self-propelled artillery LARS-1 PzH 2000 DONAR
Roland Gepard ASRAD Air Defense Systems
Trucks and light vehicles MAN Mungo ESK Yak Serval AGF
Military ranks in the Bundeswehr
Ranks in the Bundeswehr are divided into three categories: officers, non-commissioned officers and privates. Officer ranks are further divided into three subcategories:
Generals (admirals)
senior officers
junior officers
Non-commissioned officer ranks are divided into two subcategories:
non-commissioned officers with a harness
non-commissioned officers without a harness
In the branches of the armed forces of the army and in the Luftwaffe, the ranks are identical; non-commissioned officers and officers navy, as well as medical service officers have other ranks.
Retired military personnel:
The ranks of military personnel transferred to the reserve have additions a. D. or d. R. (außer Dienst or die Reserve). If the next rank is awarded at the end of active service, then they are combined, for example: OLt a. D.u. HPTM d. R. (Oberleutnant außer Dienst und Hauptmann der Reserve) - reserve senior lieutenant and reserve captain.
Retired individuals may apply for permission to wear a uniform. In this case, they must wear additional insignia (black-red-gold letter R on shoulder straps for the army and Luftwaffe and gold on shoulder straps and sleeves for the Navy). It is allowed to wear everyday uniforms and only in exceptional cases (with the permission of the head of the garrison) - field uniforms.
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His birthday - July 7, 1955 - is not associated with any significant event in the country. Just on this day, the Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany was created and, accordingly, military construction began. The legal basis for this was the agreements signed in Paris in 1954 with Western countries under which the occupation regime was abolished in West Germany and state sovereignty was restored. Germany became a member of NATO. On November 12 of the same year in Bonn, the first 100 volunteers swore allegiance to the Fatherland. However, the name "Bundeswehr" appeared only in 1956. The word "Bundeswehr" means an association of defenders of the fatherland. And in the broad sense of the word - the army of Germany.
For the first forty years after its creation, the Bundeswehr, according to the Constitution of the country, did not participate in hostilities outside its borders. This constitutional restriction was lifted on July 12, 1994. The Bundeswehr has repeatedly been involved in UN-sanctioned peacekeeping operations (Bosnia - 1995, Kosovo - 1999. Afghanistan - from 2001 to the present day).
The German army began as a professional one, but a year later, due to the confrontation between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, universal conscription was introduced. Initially, the draft was for a year, and from 1962 to 1972 - for one and a half. Then began the reduction of service life: 15 months, 12, 10, 9 and, finally, six months. However, the number of contract soldiers and re-enlisted in the army prevailed.
By 2011, according to the Bundeswehr, there were 253,885 military personnel in it. In the same year, after a heated debate in the Bundestag, conscription was abolished and the army became fully professional. Its strength has also been reduced: now it is 204,000 military and 75,000 civilians (service personnel).
What prompted this reform? First of all, the weakening of military tension in Europe after the end of the Cold War (at that time the number of the Bundeswehr reached 500 thousand people). Germany is no longer in danger. She developed normal relations with Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Another thing is the threat of Islamic terrorism, which has already become a global problem. But it does not require a huge army to repel it. There are other forces at work here.
Structure
Fewer soldiers means less military spending, which had a positive effect on the state budget. A significant reduction in the size of the Bundeswehr and a complete transition to a contract system contributed to its qualitative strengthening. The German army is the most combat-ready army in Europe. It has a three-service structure: ground forces, air force and naval forces. As separate components, in 2000, a joint support force and a medical and sanitary service were created in its composition.
The head of the Bundeswehr is the federal minister of defense. He is also the commander-in-chief in peacetime. (The position of commander-in-chief does not exist as such.) In case of need for defensive actions, command passes to the German chancellor.
The highest military rank in the Bundeswehr is Inspector General.
According to military planning, in 2015. 185 thousand people will remain in the Bundeswehr. But this does not mean its weakening. Here they follow the principle “better less, but better!”.
Now the German army is made up of contract soldiers whose service life is from 12 to 33 months. (Contract may be extended.)
Ground forces consist of subdivisions (detachment, platoon, company), units (separate battalion, regiment), formations (brigade, division, corps) and associations (separate corps, army). As part of the cyxopathic troops - various types of troops, special troops and services. These are nine deployed mechanized brigades, two airborne, two logistic support brigades, mountain infantry, air-mechanized, artillery, engineering, air defense, army aviation, three mechanized brigades of reduced strength and economic services.
Air Force (Luftwaffe includes three fighter-bomber divisions, a reconnaissance division, four air defense squadrons, three squadrons of military transport aviation, an air transport group of the Ministry of Defense, two logistics regiments, a battalion of protection of objects, an armaments service center. The total strength of the Luftwaffe - 34 thousand military personnel.
Naval forces - fleet, naval aviation and special forces (including marines).
The fleet consists of four flotillas - frigates (cruisers, destroyers), missile and torpedo boats, minesweepers, and submarines. All ships are German made.
The total number of military personnel is 19 thousand people.
Contract service incentives
As in any country in Germany, a lot is being done in the field of patriotic education. Military service is considered honorable, its romance for the average young people has by no means faded away.
But there are also material incentives that attract people to the army. First of all, these are official salaries. Eyes increase with seniority. Private receives 1283-1608 euros per month, corporal - 1616-1842, non-commissioned officer - 1731-2074, lieutenant - 2088-2738, captain - 25 75-3786, colonel 4622-6472, brigadier general 8088 euros.
Military personnel with children receive monthly child allowances.
In addition, the Bundeswehr provides for various allowances, the amount of which depends on the position, rank, specialty, etc. For example, for each hour of service in excess of the working hours established by the regulations, a soldier receives from 0.68 to 2.88 euros, depending on the position.
Surcharges for Air Force pilots can reach up to 470 euros per month. Regular skydiving is subject to a monthly surcharge of 115 euros per month.
In the Bundeswehr, you can also master civilian specialties. It provides about 1,400 vocational training places for high school graduates in 60 different trades. In particular, there you can master the specialties of a system administrator, electrical engineer, aircraft mechanic, mechanic-mechanic, specialist in maintenance of heating systems, computers, etc.
During the years of military service, a serviceman can improve not only military, but also civilian qualifications. Therefore, after being discharged from the army, former military personnel, as a rule, have no problems with employment.
All this contributes to maintaining high morale in the Bundeswehr.
Combat training of a mountain infantry company
The main slogan of reforming the German army is readiness and mobility. This implies the creation of a rapid reaction force capable, after receiving an order and a short time, to be deployed in Germany or at any point. the globe. This is due to the participation of the Bundeswehr in peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the UN. Hence the emphasis on the development of mobile units, which include mountain infantry troops. They are able to lead fighting in the mountains, settlements, forests, and also as an airborne assault.
Already at the beginning of training, military personnel master ways of surviving in extreme conditions, infiltrating enemy positions, and acting as part of security and reconnaissance groups day and night.
Particular attention is paid to the training of personnel in the methods of fighting in the highlands. The performance of marches along mountain paths, off-road with the crossing of rivers and lakes is practiced.
Personnel learn to equip positions in the highlands, to act as part of a strike group, a cover squad, to conduct offensive and defensive battles in any area, in settlements.
The plans for the combat training of the mountain rifle company are to teach soldiers to correctly assess the terrain, occupy and equip positions for ambushes, fight in ambush, suddenly fall on military installations in the mountains and settlements, and land from helicopters.
In the mountains, the transportation of goods and equipment is mainly carried out by personnel. A mountain infantry company does not always act autonomously. Its training system provides for interaction with artillery, tanks, engineering units, and helicopters. This weight is worked out in various exercises.
Particular attention is paid to physical training. Crosses, forced marches with full gear while carrying certain loads at the same time are in the order of things.
The command of the Bundeswehr believes that by the end of the fourth quarter of training, the personnel of the mountain infantry company is fully prepared to perform various combat missions.
Educational and material base
In the Bundeswehr, it is well thought out. Here military-technical thought worked fruitfully. Numerous simulators, layouts, obstacle courses with sound and light effects, and target dynamics contribute to bringing combat training as close as possible to the realities of modern combat.
Take, for example, fire training. The acquisition of the necessary skills in shooting is carried out on a special simulator using models of rifles, pistols, machine guns and grenade launchers. Recoil is simulated by compressed air. Aiming - by laser beam, pointed at the screen, where the imitation of the terrain is displayed (mountains, forest, locality etc.). The data is displayed on the computers behind which the instructors sit. The standards are passed on the simulator and only then - admission to live firing.
Another example: practicing instant recognition of “friend or foe”. Remote-controlled puppets in camouflage clothes move, wave their arms and suddenly fall on the fighter. This is where you need to instantly recognize the enemy or your own and just as quickly respond: shoot or not. This process is brought to automatism without any reflection. Emotions fade into the background, and the fighter, if necessary, shoots (imitation) in cold blood and accurately.
The solid material and technical base of the German army is well known. Representatives of many armies of the world come here for experience. By the way, an agreement has been reached: Germany will build in Russia ( Nizhny Novgorod Region) center for combat training of the ground forces.
Currently, there is a lot of talk about the fact that the NATO army is constantly building up its forces and preparing for joint military operations with the United States against Russia. In order to understand what a real force is the NATO army, one should consider in detail the German army, as the strongest in this alliance.
To get a complete picture of the state of affairs in the German army as of 2017, you need to consider in detail all types of troops that make up its composition.
German ground forces
As in any other army in the world, the main force of the German army is the Ground Forces. Their total number significantly exceeds the number of all other types of troops of the German army. As of 2017, the German Ground Forces consist of the following units:
- 4 NATO “rapid deployment” corps: Eurocorps, NATO AK BR, German-Dutch Corps and German-Danish-Polish Corps;
- 5 operational groups that are in the army corps of the Alliance: French, Spanish, Italian Turkish and Greek corps;
- 5 divisions and a number of different units and divisions;
- Various armored divisions and brigades;
- Mountain infantry and motorized infantry brigades;
- Airborne brigades;
- Helicopter regiments, which include regiments of fire support helicopters and regiments of light transport helicopters.
At first glance, the number and composition of the German Ground Forces in 2017 are quite impressive. Moreover, numerous international exercises have proved that modern detachments in terms of their combat power and capabilities are twice as superior as detachments of the 70-80s, which had the same number. It turns out that the 5 divisions that exist in 2017 can replace the 11 divisions of previous years. However, recent events in Iraq have shown the fallacy of these judgments. Firepower is certainly good, but it is the infantry that should carry out the operations to clear the territory. This is where its lack of numbers comes into play.
Despite the big words that are spoken for the world's means mass media, the military command is well aware that the strength of the Ground Forces is insufficient. That is why even the official document of Germany's military organizational development explicitly states that german army designed for peacekeeping operations, as well as for localizing conflicts of a low degree of intensity. The main emphasis is on the fact that the German army will act as part of a coalition of forces.
Although in 2017 many Germans are still convinced that Russia should tremble at the mere sight of a sign of the German army, judging by the “successes” of the Ground Forces in Iraq, only one thing can be said: the Bundeswehr army can compete on equal terms only with third world countries, yes and then with quite small ones. The German military doctrine does not provide for any global wars, and the latest terrorist attacks in Europe show that the NATO army is not able to restore order even at home.
Civil society in Germany believes that although the army is a mandatory attribute of a solid state, it can be significantly reduced. A serious reduction in the German army began after the abolition of mandatory military service in 2011. Since then, the entire German army has been made up of contract soldiers. The prestige of military service in the Ground Forces is evidenced by the fact that almost 10% of vacancies in the army are open. Basically, there is a shortage of doctors and qualified personnel to maintain complex defense and weapon systems.
If 20 years ago the Germans were considered the best soldiers in Europe and even civilians were ready to serve in the army with pleasure, now even professional German contract soldiers treat their service as if they were ordinary work. Although the contract details the duties of military personnel in case of war, few people take them seriously. If some major military conflict happened, all the German Ground Forces would be completely at a loss, since the army had no real combat experience.
According to statistics, many German military personnel are on various operations in the hot spots of the world, so either the rear units or the staff of the headquarters remained. Despite pressure from the United States, Germany stubbornly avoids participation in those operations that could turn into infantry battles. For example, the Bundeswehr does not want to openly oppose ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Armament and composition of the German Ground Forces
If we take official statistics, then the armament of the Bundeswehr Ground Forces looks quite impressive:
- The total number of tanks is 1095 units;
- Various field guns and MLRS - 644;
- 2,563 armored vehicles;
- 146 combat helicopters.
The picture is quite encouraging, but it is only at first glance. In fact, in reality, things are somewhat different. If we analyze the situation with German tanks, we can see that the main German tank is the Leopard of various modifications.
Of the total number of "paper" tanks, tanks of the Leopard-2 modifications make up 685 pieces. The rest of the tanks are Leopard-1, which are mostly dismantled for metal or used as targets at training grounds. Although the development program includes the purchase of the latest Leopard modifications, in reality, the renewal of the fleet is very slow. The military budget is getting smaller from year to year. The newest Leopards in the German army are no more than 100 pieces. If you look at the total number of tanks that are quite modern today, you will get no more than 500 units, and half of them will be rather outdated modifications of the A5.
Looking at the real numbers, it becomes clear that the hopes of the member countries of the NATO bloc to protect the German armada of tanks in the event global war are, to put it mildly, exaggerated.
Light armored vehicles of the German army
The approach of the Bundeswehr to the modernization of light armored vehicles is interesting. Although local operations require just such equipment, after all, it is unprofitable to send tanks on missions to eliminate small outbreaks, and the maneuverability of tanks is limited. The modern fleet of light armored vehicles in Germany is represented by outdated Marder infantry fighting vehicles, which began to enter service with the German army back in 1961, although even then this process dragged on for almost 10 years. The first modernization of the Marders began only in September 1979. The upgraded models received the A-1 index and received an additional Milan ATGM launcher, which was installed on the turret on the right side.
In 1985, when the "Marders" were presented in three modifications (from "A-1" to "A-3"), the development of a new modification "Marder-2" began. With the start of the development of Marder-2, the release of previous modifications was completely curtailed. Since during these years military funding began to gradually decline, the development of the new Marder stretched out for 6 years.
The first car "Marder-2" was shown on September 17, 1991. Her tests continued until 1998, and as a result of the fact that her production turned out to be too expensive, she was completely abandoned, practically "burying" many years of work. Until now, "Marder-1" is the main infantry fighting vehicle of the German army. Due to the fact that even its latest modifications were released more than 30 years ago, their number is declining from year to year, as they are gradually dismantled for spare parts. As a result, out of 1581 "Marders" that are in service, no more than 350 units remain on the move.
Since the need to adopt a new infantry fighting vehicle has been standing for a long time, a new vehicle, the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, was developed and put into service. In 2016, the Bundeswehr was supposed to purchase about 400 new vehicles, but in fact, not a single such BMP was purchased.
It turns out that, in fact, ensuring the mobility of infantry and fire cover, the Bundeswehr army is provided only with wheeled armored personnel carriers and vehicles:
- 430 TpZ-1 "Fuchs";
- 359 Wiesel;
- 51 "Boxer".
Although about 1,500 pieces of obsolete American M-113 infantry fighting vehicles should be stored in the army warehouses of the Bundeswehr, nothing has been reported about them since 1995. Most likely, they have long been dismantled for scrap.
In total, 1,130 armored personnel carriers remain, although more than 300 of them are Wiesels, which are absolutely not intended for transporting infantry. The remaining quantity is about 800 pieces. In order to understand whether this is a lot or a little, let's show some interesting statistics. Approximately 800 armored personnel carriers of various modifications of armored personnel carriers were lost by Ukraine in 2014, so you should not be afraid that the German army has a powerful base of light armored vehicles. The army, which has not participated in military conflicts for more than 60 years, is very out of touch with reality.
German artillery at present
German artillery also fell under mass reduction. About 650 units of guns, mortars and MLRS were decommissioned. Instead of obsolete technology in Germany, they began to develop latest systems weapons. Taking a cue from the Americans, the Germans developed systems that allowed for a significant increase in firepower, even with a massive reduction.
German designers have developed the PzH2000 self-propelled gun, which is considered one of the best combat vehicles in its class. The PzH2000 self-propelled artillery mount has the following performance characteristics:
- This gun provides targeted coverage of the target at a distance of 30 kilometers, while it fires 3 shots in 9.2 seconds;
- 8 shots fired in 51.4 seconds;
- 20 shots - in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
As a result of constant improvements and upgrades, German designers were able to increase the rate of fire of this gun to 59.74 seconds - 12 shots and 1 minute 47 seconds - 20 shots.
This self-propelled artillery mount is capable of reliably protecting its crew from shelling with small arms up to 14.5 mm caliber and any artillery and mortar fragments. There is reactive armor that covers the top of the installation, protecting the crew from aerial bombs and artillery shells.
Of course, the PzH2000 self-propelled guns is one of the best systems of this type in the world. It is for this reason that she completely ousted all systems of this type from the German army. It seems that everything is fine in the artillery of the German army, if not for one problem: their total number does not exceed 180 units.
In addition to the PzH2000 self-propelled guns, the German Ground Forces are armed with no more than 130 self-propelled mortars of 120 and 100 mm caliber. Military experts will definitely turn their attention to the fact that the Bundeswehr army has a very small number of mortars of caliber less than 120 mm. These tasks should be solved by army aviation, since the military command believes that batteries of such weapons are not capable of quickly changing their location and will not bring any benefit in a real battle, so NATO's main stake in such matters is combat attack helicopters.
Army aviation and air defense of the Bundeswehr
As for the army aviation of the Bundeswehr, it includes the following types of helicopters:
- 38 powerful attack helicopters "Tiger". Although the immediate plans of the Bundeswehr included the purchase of another 20 units of such equipment, budget cuts are unlikely to contribute to their implementation;
- 118 light attack helicopters VO-105, which can also be used as multi-purpose ones. Another 24 helicopters of this model are in storage, but it is not known what condition they are in. Given the old army habit of dismantling army vehicles, it is unlikely that they are in operational condition;
- 93 CH-53G transport helicopters;
- 93 multipurpose UH-1Ds and 39 EC-135s;
- The most modern helicopters are 77 NH-90 units.
If all these helicopters are in combat condition, then the position of the Bundeswehr army aviation is quite stable.
army system air defense represented by 50 units of the Ocelot air defense system, which in fact are nothing more than 4 Stinger MANPADS mounted on the chassis of the Wiesel combat vehicle. There is no need to say that the Stingers are a rather outdated weapon in modern realities, although during battles with a technically backward enemy it poses a significant threat to targets located at low altitudes.
German Air Force
The Luftwaffe includes the Central Office and the Operational Command. Since Germany does not have its own training bases for training cadets, all pilots of the German Air Force are trained in the United States of America.
The basis of the German air force are the following aircraft:
- The most important force of the German Air Force are Typhoon fighter-bombers. When their production was first planned, the Air Force expected to purchase only 250 aircraft, but in the end, today there are only 97 of them, if you count together with training aircraft. The global reduction in the army also affected the German air force, so the Air Force command had to moderate its appetites somewhat;
- Second in importance, but the first in terms of total numbers are the Tornado bombers, which have been upgraded. Their total number is 144 units. The modernization was carried out in order to make it possible to leave the Tornado in service with the German Air Force until 2025. In future plans, they want to completely replace them with Typhoons. However, since the Typhoons are not enough even in their "fighter" category, it is hardly worth expecting a replacement for the Tornado by 2025;
- Due to the acute shortage of combat aircraft, the German Air Force is still armed with the F-4F Phantom-2, which began to be produced back in 1961. These aircraft are also planned to be replaced by Typhoons by 2020.
Based on the above data, the strike aircraft of the German Air Force should be about 200 aircraft by 2029. For comparison, we can say that Russia has about 3,500 aircraft in service, which can be used for military purposes. therefore, German military aviation does not pose any significant threat to Russia.
The transport aviation of the German Air Force does not exceed 100 units of aircraft, which are not even able to ensure the landing of an entire brigade of paratroopers, and you can immediately forget about supplying it with ammunition and provisions.
The air defense of the German Air Force includes no more than 18 batteries of the Patriot air defense system.
German army navy
The German navy, even in the face of a reduction in the military budget, is sufficiently equipped and modern. At the same time, he is not able to solve any serious combat missions, since he is quite budgetary. His tasks include solving local problems, such as protecting the coast or reconnaissance activities.
At the same time, it should be noted that military shipbuilding in Germany is one of the most modern in the world, and warships and submarines are sold out. various countries with great pleasure. Despite the high prices of submarines (about 330 million dollars for the Type 212 in the "base"), they are in stable demand and bring a steady income to the German economy.
Judging by what new German warships are being built, they are clearly thinking of placing some new and powerful weapon on them.
The naval aviation of the German Navy also does not represent a significant force and is represented by the following types of equipment:
- 8 R-3C Orion aircraft, which are designed to combat submarines;
- 3 patrol Do-228;
- 43 Sea King and Super Links helicopters.
Judging by the state of military shipbuilding in Germany, in the event of a large-scale military conflict, Germany will be able to acquire a powerful navy in a short time.
What army can Germany put on the battlefield
Now we need to face the truth and honestly answer the question, how much military equipment can Germany put on the battlefield? Based on the above information, not so much. The command of the German army is also well aware of this, so they divided the entire army into several levels of readiness (3 levels).
The most "combat-ready" parts of the German army are no more than 8,500 people. This is exactly the amount that can be collected in the shortest possible time, in the event of a surprise attack. Parts of the second level (operational engagement group) can be put on alert in 40-50 days. Parts of the third level (group of the Joint Forces) are brought to full readiness in 180-200 days.
A reasonable question arises, who will hold back the onslaught of the enemy for 6 months, until all the military forces of Germany gather? Such a long defense can only be maintained against savages armed with rifles, machine guns and Molotov cocktails. Obviously, Germany is very hopeful for US assistance in the event of a serious conflict in Europe.
In addition to the insufficient efficiency of the German army, the state of military equipment raises serious questions. About 70 percent of the total number of combat vehicles is under repair, the terms of which are repeatedly exceeded, since spare parts are often not available. The exercises of 2014 became significant, when the fighters from the Franco-German brigade had to use Vito Mercedes instead of armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.
In aviation, things are also not the best. Transport planes constantly fail, pilots cannot fly for the required number of hours, which negatively affects their flying skills.
Although NATO standards indicate the need to spend 2% of the country's GDP on the army, Germany is constantly lowering this bar. By the end of 2017, it is planned to reduce it to 1.1 or to 1.05%.
Although some alarmists see a cunning maneuver behind the impotence of the German army, which consists in hiding their true capabilities, in fact, one should not be afraid of a large-scale campaign of the NATO army to the East. Europe is now unable to cope with emigrants, so talk of a military threat from Germany is nothing more than empty words.
Armed forces of the countries of the world
German Armed Forces
One of the main goals of the creation in 1949 of the NATO bloc was control over Germany, at that time only Western. At the same time, the FRG found itself on the potential front line, and in the main direction of the failed attack by the Warsaw Pact troops. Therefore, the Bundeswehr became the main strike force of NATO in Europe, in addition, powerful contingents of the US, British, French, Canadian, Dutch, and Belgian armed forces were deployed on German territory. These forces were combined into two army groups of ground forces and two air armies.
After the reunification of Germany in 1990, the Bundeswehr reached a huge combat power - 7 thousand tanks, 8.9 thousand infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, 4.6 thousand guns, mortars and MLRS, 1 thousand combat aircraft. In addition, 5.9 thousand American tanks, 5.7 thousand infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, 2.6 thousand artillery systems, and more than 300 aircraft were on German territory. Even before 1.5 thousand tanks, the same number of infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, at least 500 artillery systems, other NATO countries had here.
All this is in the distant past. Army groups and air armies have been disbanded. The French, Dutch, Belgians and Canadians left Germany long ago. In 2015, the British contingent also left it.
Today the composition of the German Armed Forces is as follows.
Ground troops include 3 divisions and a number of other units and subunits. This is the 1st tank division(headquarters - in Oldenburg) (it includes the 9th (Munster) and 21st (Augustdorf) tank, 41st (Neubrandenburg) motorized infantry brigades, as well as the 43rd mechanized brigade of the Dutch Armed Forces), 10th tank division (Vaitsshöhheim) (12th tank (Amberg), 23rd mountain infantry (Bad Reichenhall), 37th motorized infantry (Frankenberg) brigades, as well as the 4th brigade of the RRF of the Czech Armed Forces) and the RRF division (Stadtallendorf) (1 1st Airborne Brigade (Saarlius), SOF Command, 36th Combat Helicopter Regiment, 10th and 30th Transport Helicopter Regiments, as well as the 11th Airborne Brigade of the Dutch Armed Forces and the 81st Mechanized Brigade of the Romanian Armed Forces ).
The tank fleet includes 241 Leopard-2s (221 A6, 20 A7). In addition, 380 Leopard-2A4/A5 and 191 Leopard-1 are in storage.
There are 170 BRM "Fenech", 65 "Dingo-2A3.2".
The number of Marder infantry fighting vehicles has been reduced to 778, they should be replaced by Puma infantry fighting vehicles in the amount of approximately 400, now there are 26.
Armored personnel carriers and armored vehicles are becoming the dominant class of armored vehicles in the German army. Today, the Bundeswehr has 359 TpZ-1 Fuchs, 144 Boxer (there will be 256 in total; there are also 137 auxiliary vehicles based on this armored personnel carrier), 100 Wiesel (it is, however, sometimes classified as a BMD), 537 "Dingo ", incl. 137 "Dingo-1" and 400 "Dingo-2" (as well as 73 ARVs based on it), 76 Swedish BV206S (and at least 111 auxiliary vehicles based on this armored personnel carrier), 629 Swiss "Eagle" (and 20 auxiliary vehicles) .
Artillery includes 129 PzH2000 self-propelled guns (up to 20 more in storage), 119 self-propelled 120-mm Tampella mortars and 59 MLRS MLRS. 2 old M109 self-propelled guns and 10 towed M101 guns remain in service.
It is armed with 311 of the latest Israeli Spike-LR ATGMs, 113 Tou self-propelled ATGMs on the Wiesel chassis.
Military air defense includes 50 Ocelot air defense systems, also known as ASRAD (these are 4 Stinger MANPADS on the chassis of the Wiesel vehicle), and 865 Stinger MANPADS in the "original" portable version.
The army aviation has 59 UHT Tiger attack helicopters (another 5 in storage), up to 129 multipurpose UH-1Ds (another up to 70 in storage), 19 EU-135, 62 of the latest NH-90 (another 1 in storage; total should be 82). Up to 196 Vo-105 multipurpose helicopters are in storage.
In addition to the above equipment, up to 2247 M113 armored personnel carriers, up to 39 M109 self-propelled guns, up to 134 M101 guns and up to 177 FH-70, up to 100 MLRS MLRS, up to 87 Roland air defense systems, up to 340 Gepard ZSU can be stored. All this equipment is no longer on the balance sheet of the Armed Forces, it is intended for disposal, disassembly for spare parts and sale abroad.
air force Germany (Luftwaffe) includes the Operational Command and the Central Office (both located in Cologne). The Operational Command has 6 tactical air wings (31st, 33rd, 51st, 71st, 73rd, 74th), 3 transport air wings (61st, 62nd, 63rd) , 64th Helicopter Wing, 1st Air Defense Wing.
The basis of the combat power of the Luftwaffe is European (German-English-Spanish-Italian) Typhoon fighter-bombers. According to the original plans of 1986, the German Air Force planned to purchase 250 Typhoons, in 1998 this plan was reduced to 180 vehicles, in 2003 to 143. Today, 139 Typhoons have been delivered (including 31 training combat). Up to 111 Tornado bombers remain in service, up to 28 more are in storage in Germany itself, 1 is in storage in the United States at the Davis-Monthan base. Up to 41 old F-4F fighters are in storage (up to 26 in Germany, 15 in the USA), but they will be disposed of. 20 American B-61 nuclear bombs are deployed at the VVB Buchel, which in case of war will be used by Tornado aircraft of the German Air Force itself.
Transport aviation includes 28 latest A400Ms, 2 A319s, 1 A321s, 2 A340s, 6 A310s (including 4 tankers), 56 S-160s (up to 9 more in storage), 4 Global Express 5000s, and 88 helicopters - 85 CH-53G (up to 5 more in storage), 3 AS532. The Luftwaffe does not have training aviation; pilots are trained in the USA on American training aircraft.
Ground air defense includes 20 batteries of Patriot air defense systems (8 launchers in each, 4 missiles per launcher). There are also 2 reserve and 2 training batteries of the same air defense system.
Navy Germany (Bundesmarine) has less than 50 combat units. The submarine fleet includes 6 submarines, project 212, which became the first submarines in the world with VNEU. In addition, there are 3 decommissioned submarines, Project 206, in the sludge. There are 10 frigates - 3 of the latest Sachsen type and 1 Baden-Württemberg type, 4 modern Brandenburg types and 2 old Bremen types (another 4 ships of this type withdrawn from the Navy). In addition, the Bundesmarine has 5 Braunschweig-type corvettes and 12 minesweepers (10 pr. 332, 2 pr. 352 (2 more in the sludge, 1 is used as a stationary training one); 5 pr. 333 in the sludge). In the sludge - 9 missile boats of the "Gepard" type.
Naval aviation includes 8 R-3C Orion anti-submarine aircraft, 3 Do-228 patrol aircraft, 42 helicopters (20 Sea Kings (1 more in storage), 22 Super Links). It is planned to purchase 18 NH90 helicopters.
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the grouping of foreign troops in Germany has drastically reduced over the past 20 years. It now includes the British 20th Motorized Infantry Brigade and the remnants of the American contingent. The US 7th Field Army (headquartered in Wiesbaden) includes the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (equivalent to the Stryker Brigade), the 12th Army Aviation Brigade, the 41st Artillery Brigade, the 7th Air Defense Regiment, 16 1st support brigade, 405th and 409th support brigades, 598th transport brigade, 30th medical brigade, 18th military police brigade, 66th reconnaissance brigade, 2nd communications brigade.
The 3rd Air Army of the US Air Force (Ramstein) includes the 52nd Air Wing (Spangdahl) with F-16 fighters and the 86th Air Wing (Ramstein) with C-130, C-20, C-21A, C-37A transport aircraft.
In general, having decreased by several times or even by orders of magnitude in all classes of military equipment over two decades, the Bundeswehr remains one of the largest European armies, since the rest were reduced almost as radically. However, the German army is no longer the main striking force of NATO in Europe. This definition in relation to the current European armies is no longer applicable in principle.