Deutsches Heer

Deutsches Heer
Version of this picture by David Liuzzo · Attribution · source
Name	Deutsches Heer
Native name	Deutsches Heer
Founded	1955
Country	Federal Republic of Germany
Branch	Bundeswehr
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Size	~60,000 active (varies)
Garrison	Potsdam
Motto	"Wir. Dienen. Deutschland."
Notable commanders	Franz Josef Strauss, Helmut Kohl, Ewald von Kleist-Schmenzin

Deutsches Heer

The Deutsches Heer is the land component of the Bundeswehr established in 1955 as the armed force of the Federal Republic of Germany. It traces institutional lineage through post‑World War II rearmament and Cold War integration with NATO while operating under the authority of the Bundeswehrministerium and the Bundespräsident in constitutional roles. The Heer has been reshaped by deployments for IFOR, KFOR, ISAF, and multinational exercises with partners such as United States Army, British Army, French Army, and Polish Land Forces.

History

The Heer was constituted during the Adenauer era amid debates in the Parliamentary Council and the NATO Double-Track Decision, reflecting tensions from the Treaty of Paris (1951) and the legacy of the Wehrmacht and Reichswehr. Early integration with NATO led to participation in the Cold War deterrence posture alongside formations like the British Army of the Rhine and U.S. V Corps. Reforms after the German reunification incorporated elements from the former Nationale Volksarmee of the German Democratic Republic into new structures influenced by the Two Plus Four Agreement. Post‑1990 tasks shifted from territorial defense to expeditionary roles seen in UNPROFOR, EUFOR Althea, and stabilization efforts in the Balkans. The transformation accelerated through the Bundeswehr reform (2001) and subsequent restructurings following the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and the strategic review after the Russian annexation of Crimea.

Organization and Command Structure

The Heer is organized into divisional and brigade echelons under the Bundeswehr command with the Kommando Heer providing operational direction. Major components include the Rapid Forces Division, 12th Armoured Division (Bundeswehr), and regional support brigades cooperating with the Joint Support Service and the Operational Command of the Bundeswehr. Command authority flows through the Federal Minister of Defence and the Inspector of the Army to subordinate commanders and units like the 11th Panzergrenadier Brigade and the Panzerlehrbrigade 9. It maintains liaison with multinational commands including Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, NATO Response Force, and the Eurocorps.

Roles and Missions

The Heer’s statutory missions include national territorial defense under the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany, collective defense within NATO Articles, crisis management under United Nations mandates, and support to civil authorities during disasters akin to the Elbe flood responses. Operational tasks have encompassed peacekeeping with UNPROFOR and stabilization with ISAF and Resolute Support Mission frameworks. The Heer also engages in multinational training with partners such as NATO Defence College, European Union Military Staff, Swedish Armed Forces, and Finnish Defence Forces to fulfill commitments under the Berlin Plus arrangements and Permanent Structured Cooperation.

Equipment and Capabilities

The Heer fields armored platforms including the Leopard 2 main battle tank and infantry fighting vehicles such as the Puma (IFV), supported by armored personnel carriers like the Boxer (MRAV). Artillery capabilities rest on systems such as the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and towed weapons integrated with surveillance from platforms including the TALOS command systems and UAVs like the LUNA NG. Air defense employs systems derived from the IRIS-T SLM program and mobile counter‑battery radars interoperable with NATO Air Command. Logistics and engineering units operate vehicles like the MUNGO and bridging equipment used historically in cooperation with the Engineer Regiment 21. Modernization programs respond to lessons from Operation Enduring Freedom and procurement frameworks involving companies and agencies tied to European Defence Agency cooperation.

Training and Personnel

Recruitment and professional development occur in institutions such as the Offizierschule der Luftwaffe adapted for joint training and the Führungsakademie der Bundeswehr for staff education. Conscription suspension after 2011 shifted the Heer to a professional volunteer force, augmenting career paths linked to the Verteidigungsministerium and reserve structures like the Bundeswehr Reserve. Training ranges include the Grafenwöhr Training Area and multinational centers such as the NATO School Oberammergau. Doctrine incorporates lessons from engagements in the Baltic states and counterinsurgency experience in Afghanistan, with personnel receiving certification for NATO standards and cooperating with universities like the Helmut Schmidt University.

Operations and Deployments

Operational history features contributions to IFOR and SFOR in the Bosnian War, stability operations in Kosovo under KFOR, and extended deployments to Afghanistan with ISAF and Resolute Support. The Heer participates in NATO reassurance measures in the Baltic Air Policing context and land deployments under NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroups with partners including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. It conducts disaster relief domestically following events like the Elbe flood 2002 and supports EU operations such as EUFOR RCA. Multinational exercises include Trident Juncture, Defender Europe, and bilateral maneuvers with the United States European Command and the French-German Brigade.

Category:Armed forces of Germany Category:Military units and formations established in 1955