Structure of the German Army explained

The following lists German active and reserve units within the structure of the German Army. Reserve units do not possess any heavy equipment and their personnel is intended as replacements for losses sustained by regular units.

The German Army is commanded by the Inspector of the Army (Inspekteur des Heeres) based at the Army Command (Kommando Heer) in Strausberg near Berlin. The training centers are supervised by the Army Training Command in Leipzig.

The Army's combat formations comprise two Panzer (armoured) divisions and the lighter Rapid Forces Division. There are five heavy brigades and half a light infantry brigade in the two panzer divisions. Battalions and regiments are directly subordinate to brigades or to divisions as divisional troops. Regiments are rare. German infantry battalions field 1,000 men, considerably larger than most NATO armies.

The list describes the current structure of the army, which replaced the previous structure NEW HEER. Under the heading of “transformation”, the structure of the army is subject to constant change in small steps. With this current structure, the HEER 2011 structure was achieved. The first fundamental step was the establishment of the Army Command with the simultaneous elimination of the Army Command and the Army Command Staff on October 1, 2012. At this point in time (October 2012), the Army comprised around 68,000 active soldiers. The HEER 2011 structure was largely achieved at unit level at the end of 2015. At the same time, the first changes occurred compared to the originally intended ARMY 2011 structure. For example, the non-actively planned 414 tank battalion was transformed into a German-Dutch active tank battalion and subordinated to the Dutch 43 Mechanised Brigade.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine from February 2022, NATO began expanding its forces in the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. In November 2023 a press release from the German Ministry of Defence specified that a new armoured brigade,, would be established in Lithuania. It will comprise Panzer Battalion 203 from Augustdorf, and Panzergrenadier Battalion 122. Initial command elements will start moving in the second quarter of 2024, and a staff to establish the brigade in the fourth quarter of 2024.^[1] The overall NATO headquarters supervising this area is Multinational Corps North East.

Unit designations

The German Army uses the term "Jäger" to describe its light infantry units and formations. Mountain infantry is designated as Gebirgsjäger, while Paratroopers are designated as Fallschirmjäger. Armoured units equipped with main battle tanks are designated as Panzer formations, while mechanized infantry units equipped with tracked infantry fighting vehicles are designated as Panzergrenadier formations.

Army Command

• Army Command (Kommando Heer), in Strausberg
  • 1st Panzer Division (1. Panzerdivision), in Oldenburg
  • 10th Panzer Division (10. Panzerdivision), in Veitshöchheim
  • Rapid Forces Division (Division Schnelle Kräfte), in Stadtallendorf
  • Training Command (Ausbildungskommando), in Leipzig
  • Army Development Office (Amt für Heeresentwicklung), in Cologne
  • Central Army Storage (Zentrales Langzeitlager), in Herongen
  • Central Army Storage (Zentrales Langzeitlager), in Pirmasens
  • Central Mobilisation Base (Zentraler Mobilmachungsstützpunkt), in Brück

1st Panzer Division

• 1st Panzer Division (1. Panzerdivision), in Oldenburg^[2]
  • Staff and Signal Company 1st Panzer Division, in Oldenburg
  • 1st Operations Support Battalion (Unterstützungsbataillon Einsatz 1), in Oldenburg (Reserve unit)
  • 325th Artillery Demonstration Battalion (Artillerielehrbataillon 325), in Munster with 24x PzH 2000 155mm self-propelled howitzers, 8x M270 MLRS multiple rocket launch systems, KZO drones and 2x Euro-Art COBRA counter-battery radars
  • Signal Battalion 610 (Fernmeldebataillon 610), in Prenzlau (Operationally assigned to NATO's Multinational Corps Northeast)
  • 901st Heavy Engineer Battalion (Schweres Pionierbataillon 901), in Havelberg (Reserve unit)

Note: The 1st Panzer Division also has the Royal Netherlands Army's 43rd Mechanized Brigade under its command.

9th Panzerlehr Brigade

• 9th Panzerlehr Brigade (Panzerlehrbrigade 9), in Munster^[3]
  • Staff and Signal Company 9th Panzerlehr Brigade, in Munster
  • 3rd Reconnaissance Demonstration Battalion (Aufklärungslehrbataillon 3), in Lüneburg with Fennek reconnaissance vehicles and KZO drones
  • 33rd Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 33), in Neustadt am Rübenberge with 44x Puma infantry fighting vehicles
  • 92nd Panzergrenadier Demonstration Battalion (Panzergrenadierlehrbataillon 92), in Munster with 44x Puma infantry fighting vehicles
  • 93rd Panzer Demonstration Battalion (Panzerlehrbataillon 93), in Munster with 44x Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks
  • 203rd Panzer Battalion (Panzerbataillon 203), in Augustdorf with 44x Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks — will move to Lithuania and join the 45th Panzer Brigade in 2024
  • 130th German/British Bridging Engineer Battalion (Deutsch/Britische Pionierbrückenbataillon 130), in Minden^{[4] [5]}
  • 141st Supply Battalion (Versorgungsbataillon 141), in Neustadt am Rübenberge

21st Panzer Brigade

• 21st Panzer Brigade (Panzerbrigade 21), in Augustdorf^[6]
  • Staff and Signal Company 21st Panzer Brigade, in Augustdorf
  • 7th Reconnaissance Battalion (Aufklärungsbataillon 7), in Ahlen with Fennek reconnaissance vehicles and KZO drones
  • 1st Jäger Battalion (Jägerbataillon 1), Schwarzenborn with Boxer armoured personnel carriers
  • 91st Jäger Battalion (Jägerbataillon 91), in Rotenburg an der Wümme with Boxer armoured personnel carriers
  • 413th Jäger Battalion (Jägerbataillon 413), in Torgelow with Boxer armoured personnel carriers
  • 921st Jäger Battalion (Jägerbataillon 921), in Schwarzenborn (Reserve unit)
  • 215th Panzer Artillery Battalion (Panzerartilleriebataillon 215), in Augustdorf — will be reactivated in 2024
  • 1st Panzer Engineer Battalion (Panzerpionierbataillon 1), in Holzminden
  • 7th Supply Battalion (Versorgungsbataillon 7), in Unna

41st Panzergrenadier Brigade

• 41st Panzergrenadier Brigade (Panzergrenadierbrigade 41), in Neubrandenburg^[7]
  • Staff and Signal Company 41st Panzergrenadier Brigade, in Neubrandenburg
  • 6th Reconnaissance Battalion (Aufklärungsbataillon 6), in Eutin with Fennek reconnaissance vehicles and KZO drones
  • 401st Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 401), in Hagenow with 44x Marder infantry fighting vehicles
  • 411th Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 411), in Viereck with 44x Marder infantry fighting vehicles
  • 908th Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 908), in Viereck (Reserve unit)
  • 803rd Panzer Engineer Battalion (Panzerpionierbataillon 803), in Havelberg
  • 142nd Supply Battalion (Versorgungsbataillon 142), in Hagenow

10th Panzer Division

• 10th Panzer Division (10. Panzerdivision), in Veitshöchheim^[8]
  • 10th Signal Battalion (Fernmeldebataillon 10), in Veitshöchheim (activated 1 April 2021)^[9]
  • 10th Operations Support Battalion (Unterstützungsbataillon Einsatz 10), in Veitshöchheim (Reserve unit)
  • 10th Reconnaissance Battalion (Aufklärungsbataillon 10), in Füssen with Fennek reconnaissance vehicles and KZO drones
  • 131st Artillery Battalion (Artilleriebataillon 131), in Weiden in der Oberpfalz with 16x PzH 2000 155mm self-propelled howitzers, 8x M270 MLRS multiple rocket launch systems, KZO drones and 2x Euro-Art COBRA counter-battery radars — will move to Oberviechtach and join the 12th Panzer Brigade in 2024
  • 345th Artillery Demonstration Battalion (Artillerielehrbataillon 345), in Idar-Oberstein with 24x PzH 2000 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, 8x M270 MLRS multiple rocket launch systems, 12x 120 mm mortars, KZO drones and 2x Euro-Art COBRA counter-battery radars
  • 4th Panzer Engineer Battalion (Panzerpionierbataillon 4), in Bogen
  • 905th Engineer Battalion (Pionierbataillon 905), in Ingolstadt (Reserve unit)
  • 8th Supply Battalion (Versorgungsbataillon 8), in Füssen

Note: The 10th Panzer Division also has the Royal Netherlands Army's 13th Light Brigade under its command.

12th Panzer Brigade

• 12th Panzer Brigade (Panzerbrigade 12), in Cham^[10]
  • Staff Company 12th Panzer Brigade (Stabskompanie Panzerbrigade 12), in Cham
  • 8th Reconnaissance Battalion (Aufklärungsbataillon 8), in Freyung with Fennek reconnaissance vehicles and KZO drones
  • 8th Mountain Panzer Battalion (Gebirgspanzerbataillon 8), in Pfreimd (Reserve unit, 1 of 3 tank companies is active in peacetime and assigned to the 104th Battalion)
  • 104th Panzer Battalion (Panzerbataillon 104), in Pfreimd with 44x Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks
  • 363rd Panzer Battalion (Panzerbataillon 363), in Hardheim with 44x Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks^[11]
  • 112th Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 112), in Regen with 44x Puma Infantry fighting vehicles
  • 122nd Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 122), in Oberviechtach with 44x Puma Infantry fighting vehicles — will move to Lithuania and join the 45th Panzer Brigade in 2024
  • 8th Panzer Engineer Battalion (Panzerpionierbataillon 8), in Ingolstadt
  • 4th Supply Battalion (Versorgungsbataillon 4), in Roding
  • Signal Company 12th Panzer Brigade (Fernmeldekompanie Panzerbrigade 12), in Cham

37th Panzergrenadier Brigade

• 37th Panzergrenadier Brigade (Panzergrenadierbrigade 37), in Frankenberg^[12]
  • Staff Company 37th Panzergrenadier Brigade (Stabskompanie Panzergrenadierbrigade 37), in Frankenberg
  • 13h Reconnaissance Battalion (Aufklärungsbataillon 13), in Gotha with Fennek reconnaissance vehicles and KZO drones
  • 212th Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 212), in Augustdorf with 44x Puma infantry fighting vehicles
  • 371st Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 371), in Marienberg with 44x Marder infantry fighting vehicles
  • 391st Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 391), in Bad Salzungen with 44x Marder infantry fighting vehicles
  • 393rd Panzer Battalion (Panzerbataillon 393), in Bad Frankenhausen with 44x Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks
  • 909th Panzergrenadier Battalion (Panzergrenadierbataillon 909), in Marienberg (Reserve unit)
  • 375th Panzer Artillery Battalion (Panzerartilleriebataillon 375), in Weiden in der Oberpfalz
  • 701st Panzer Engineer Battalion (Panzerpionierbataillon 701), in Gera
  • 131st Supply Battalion (Versorgungsbataillon 131), in Bad Frankenhausen
  • Signal Company 37th Panzergrenadier Brigade (Fernmeldekompanie Panzergrenadierbrigade 37), in Frankenberg

45th Panzer Brigade

• 45th Panzer Brigade (Panzerbrigade 45), in Rūdninkai Training Area (Lithuania) - brigade will activate in 2025 and initially consist of the 122nd Panzergrenadier Battalion and 203rd Panzer Battalion.^{[13] [14]}

Franco-German Brigade

The division also has administrative control of the German units in the Franco-German Brigade:

• Franco-German Brigade (Deutsch-Französische Brigade), in Müllheim
  • 291st Jäger Battalion (Jägerbataillon 291), in Illkirch-Graffenstaden (FR)
  • 292nd Jäger Battalion (Jägerbataillon 292), in Donaueschingen
  • 295th Artillery Battalion (Artilleriebataillon 295), in Stetten am kalten Markt with 16x PzH 2000 155mm self-propelled howitzers, 8x M270 MLRS multiple rocket launch systems, KZO drones and 2x Euro-Art COBRA counter-battery radars
  • German-French Supply Battalion (Deutsch-Französisches Versorgungsbataillon), in Müllheim
  • 550th Panzer Engineer Company (Panzerpionierkompanie 550), in Stetten am kalten Markt

Rapid Forces Division

• Rapid Forces Division (Division Schnelle Kräfte), in Stadtallendorf
  • Staff and Signal Company, Rapid Forces Division, in Stadtallendorf
  • Staff and Command Support Company, Special Operations Component Command (SOCC), in Hardheim
  • Long Range Reconnaissance Company 1, in Schwarzenborn
  • Rescue Coordination Center (Search and Rescue-Leitstelle (Land)), in Münster

Note: The Rapid Forces Division also has the Royal Netherlands Army's 11th Airmobile Brigade under its command.

1st Airborne Brigade

• 1st Airborne Brigade (Luftlandebrigade 1), in Saarlouis
  • Staff and Signal Company 1st Airborne Brigade, in Saarlouis
  • 26th Fallschirmjäger Regiment (Fallschirmjägerregiment 26), in Zweibrücken
    • 1x Staff, 2x Paratroopers-Commando, 3x Paratroopers, 1x Fire Support, 1x Supply, 1x Medical, 1x Reserve, and 1x Training Company
  • 31st Fallschirmjäger Regiment (Fallschirmjägerregiment 31), in Seedorf
    • 1x Staff, 2x Paratroopers-Commando, 3x Paratroopers, 1x Fire Support, 1x Supply, 1x Medical, 1x Reserve, and 1x Training Company
  • 260th Airborne Reconnaissance Company (Luftlandeaufklärungskompanie 260), in Lebach
  • 310th Airborne Reconnaissance Company (Luftlandeaufklärungskompanie 310), in Seedorf
  • 260th Airborne Engineer Company (Luftlandepionierkompanie 260), in Saarlouis
  • 270th Airborne Engineer Company (Luftlandepionierkompanie 270), in Seedorf

23rd Gebirgsjäger Brigade

• 23rd Gebirgsjäger Brigade (Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23), in Bad Reichenhall^[15]
  • Staff and Signal Company 23rd Gebirgsjäger Brigade (Stabs- und Fernmeldekompanie der Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23), in Bad Reichenhall
  • 230th Mountain Pack Animal Operations and Training Center (Einsatz- und Ausbildungszentrum für Gebirgstragtierwesen 230), in Bad Reichenhall
  • 231st Gebirgsjäger Battalion (Gebirgsjägerbataillon 231), in Bad Reichenhall with Bv206S
  • 232nd Gebirgsjäger Battalion (Gebirgsjägerbataillon 232), in Bischofswiesen with Bv206S
  • 233rd Gebirgsjäger Battalion (Gebirgsjägerbataillon 233), in Mittenwald with Bv206S
  • 23rd Mountain Reconnaissance Company (Gebirgsaufklärungskompanie 23), in Füssen
  • 23rd Mountain Engineer Company (Gebirgspionierkompanie 23), in Ingolstadt
  • 23rd Mountain Supply Company (Gebirgsversorgungskompanie 23), in Bad Reichenhall and Mittenwald

Special Forces Command

• Special Forces Command (Kommando Spezialkräfte) (KSK), in Calw
  • 1× Staff, 1× Special Reconnaissance, 1× Special Commando, 3× Commando, 1× Signal, 1× Support, and 1× Supply company; a Medical Center, a Training Department, and a Development Department

Helicopter Command

• Helicopter Command (Kommando Hubschrauber), in Bückeburg^[16]
  • 10th Transport Helicopter Regiment (Transporthubschrauberregiment 10), in Faßberg with 40x NH90 transport helicopters
  • 30th Transport Helicopter Regiment (Transporthubschrauberregiment 30), in Niederstetten with 40x NH90 transport helicopters
  • 36th Attack Helicopter Regiment (Kampfhubschrauberregiment 36), at Fritzlar Air Base with 40x Eurocopter Tiger attack helicopters
  • International Helicopter Training Centre (Internationales Hubschrauberausbildungszentrum), in Bückeburg
  • Army Helicopter Maintenance Centre (Systemzentrum Drehflügler Heer), in Donauwörth

Other units

As part of the Multinational Corps Northeast:

• Multinational Corps Northeast, in Szczecin, Poland
  • 610th Signal Battalion (Fernmeldebataillon 610), in Prenzlau (Under administrative control of the 1st Panzerdivision)

As part of the Royal Netherlands Army's 43rd Mechanized Brigade:

• 43rd Mechanized Brigade (43 Gemechaniseerde Brigade), in Havelte
  • 414th Panzer Battalion (Panzerbataillon 414), in Bergen

Training Command

• Training Command (Ausbildungskommando), in Leipzig
  • Army Officer School (Offizierschule des Heeres), in Dresden
    • Army Tactics Center (Taktikzentrum des Heeres), Dresden
  • Army Non-commissioned Officer School (Unteroffizierschule des Heeres, in Delitzsch
  • Infantry School (Infanterieschule), in Hammelburg
    • Mountain and Winter Combat School (Gebirgs- und Winterkampfschule), in Mittenwald
    • Airborne/ Air Transport School (Luftlande-/Lufttransportschule), in Altenstadt
    • Army Special Forces Training Base (Ausbildungsstützpunkt Spezialkräfte Heer), in Calw
  • Panzer Troops School (Panzertruppenschule), in Munster
    • Army Reconnaissance School (Heeresaufklärungsschule), in Munster
    • Panzer Combat Troops School (Schule Gepanzerte Kampftruppen), in Munster
    • Artillery School (Artillerieschule), in Idar-Oberstein
  • Engineer School (Pionierschule), in Ingolstadt
    • Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (Kampfmittelabwehrschule), in Stetten am kalten Markt
  • Army Technical School (Technische Schule des Heeres), in Aachen
  • Special Operations Training Center (Ausbildungszentrum Spezielle Operationen), in Pfullendorf
  • Air Mobility Training and Exercise Center (Ausbildungs- und Übungszentrum Luftbeweglichkeit), in Celle
  • Army Combat Simulation Center (Gefechtssimulationszentrum Heer), in Wildflecken
  • Army Combat Training Center (Gefechtsübungszentrum Heer), in Letzlingen
  • Bundeswehr United Nations Training Center (Vereinte Nationen Ausbildungszentrum Bundeswehr), in Hammelburg

Cyber and Information Domain Command

Signals, Psychological Operations, Strategic Reconnaissance (incl. SIGINT), Geographic Information (incl. military satellites), and Electronic Warfare units of the German Armed Forces fall under the Cyber and Information Domain Command (Kommando Cyber- und Informationsraum) of the Bundeswehr. Therefore, the German Army does not have its own units of such type, but is supported by the units of the Cyber and Information Space Command as needed.

Joint Support Service

Logistics, CBRN defense and Military Police units of the German Armed Forces fall under the Joint Support Service (Streitkräftebasis) of the Bundeswehr. Therefore, the German Army does not have its own units of such type, but is supported by the units of the Joint Support Service as needed.

Joint Medical Service

All medical units of the German Armed Forces fall under the Joint Medical Service of the Bundeswehr (Zentraler Sanitätsdienst der Bundeswehr). Therefore, the German Army does not have its own medical units, but is supported by the units of the Joint Medical Service as needed.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Entscheidungen zur Brigade Litnauen . bmvg.de . 2023-11-06 . 2023-11-06.
2. Web site: 1. Panzerdivision - Organisation . Deutsches Heer . 30 June 2022.
3. Web site: Panzerlehrbrigade 9 - Organisation . Deutsches Heer . 30 June 2022.
4. Web site: German and British Engineers Become One. www.bundeswehr.de.
5. Web site: Bridging nations with German and British engineers. 2021-10-04. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.
6. Web site: Panzerbrigade 21 - Organisation . Deutsches Heer . 30 June 2022.
7. Web site: Panzergrenadierbrigade 41 - Organisation . Deutsches Heer . 30 June 2022.
8. Web site: 10. Panzerdivision - Organisation . Deutsches Heer . 8 June 2024.
9. Web site: Eberhard Zorn, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr . Tagesbefehl des Generalinspekteurs: Änderungen in der Grobstruktur . German Ministry of Defense . 2 June 2021.
10. Web site: Panzerbrigade 12 - Organisation . Deutsches Heer . 30 June 2022.
11. Web site: Ein traditionsreicher Panzerstandort wird wiederbelebt . Deutsches Heer . 4 May 2020 . 14 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200814142714/https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/heer/aktuelles/neuer-panzerstandort-156396 . dead .
12. Web site: Panzergrenadierbrigade 37 - Organisation . Deutsches Heer . 30 June 2022.
13. Web site: Bundeswehr-Brigade in Litauen . ARD . 8 June 2024.
14. Web site: Waldemar . Geiger . Panzerbrigade 45 – Litauenbrigade der Bundeswehr bekommt neue Ordnungsnummer . HartPunkt . 8 June 2024.
15. Web site: Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23 - Organisation . Deutsches Heer . 8 June 2024.
16. Web site: Kommando Hubschrauber . Deutsches Heer . 21 April 2021.