View source for Bundeswehr

{{short description|Combined military forces of Germany}}
{{redirect2|Military of Germany|Armed forces of Germany|historical armed forces of Germany|Military of Germany (disambiguation)}}
{{Title language|de}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Federal Defence Forces
| native_name = {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}
| image = Logo of the Bundeswehr.svg
| image_size = 185
| alt = 
| caption = 
| image2 = 
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| motto = {{lang|de|Wir. Dienen. Deutschland.}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ueber-die-bundeswehr/selbstverstaendnis-bundeswehr |title='Wir. Dienen. Deutschland.' Das Selbstverständnis der Bundeswehr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217211743/https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ueber-die-bundeswehr/selbstverstaendnis-bundeswehr |access-date=20 May 2022 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref><br />("We. Serve. Germany.")
| founded = {{nowrap|{{Start date and age|1955|11|12|df=y}}}}
| current_form = {{end date and age|1990|10|3|df=y}}
| disbanded = 
| branches = * [[File:KdoH.svg|25px]] [[German Army|German Army]]
* [[File:Fü M.svg|25px]] [[German Navy|German Navy]]
* [[File:Kommando Luftwaffe (Bundeswehr).svg|25px]] [[German Air Force|German Air Force]]
* [[File:InternesVerbandsabzeichenKdoCIR.png|25px]] [[Cyber and Information Domain Service (Germany)|CIR]]
| headquarters = [[Berlin]], [[Bonn]], and [[Potsdam]]
| flying_hours = 
| website = {{URL|bundeswehr.de}}
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = {{plainlist|
* [[Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)|Federal Minister of Defence]]<br />(during peacetime)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#GGengl_000P65a |title=Art 65a Basic Law |publisher=Gesetze-im-internet.de |access-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103110623/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#GGengl_000P65a |archive-date=3 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Chancellor of Germany (Federal Republic of Germany)|Chancellor of Germany]]<br />([[State of defence|during war]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#GGengl_000P115b |title=Art 115b Basic Law |publisher=Gesetze-im-internet.de |access-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103110623/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_gg/englisch_gg.html#GGengl_000P115b |archive-date=3 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
| commander-in-chief_title = {{nowrap|[[Commander in chief#Germany|Commander-in-Chief]]}}
| chief minister = {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Chancellor of Germany.svg|size=25px}} [[Friedrich Merz]]
| chief minister_title = [[Chancellor of Germany (Federal Republic of Germany)|Chancellor]]
| minister = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Germany (state).svg|size=25px}} [[Boris Pistorius]]
| minister_title = [[List of German defence ministers|Defence Minister]]
| commander = {{Flagicon image|Flagge Generalinspekteur Bundeswehr.svg|size=25px}} [[Carsten Breuer]]
| commander_title = [[Inspector General of the Bundeswehr|Inspector General]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 17
| conscription = No (conscription suspended since July 2011 by law)
| manpower_data = 
| manpower_age = 
| available = 
| available_f = 
| fit = 
| fit_f = 
| reaching = 
| reaching_f = 
| active = 182,064 <small>(March 31, 2025)</small><ref name="bundeswehr"/>
| ranked = 30th
| reserve = ≈ 930,000 (2024)<ref name="Reserve"/>
| deployed = 2,000
<!-- Financial -->| amount = €51.95 billion (2024)<ref name="Haushalt 2024">{{cite web|access-date=2024-02-01|publisher=Bundesministerium der Verteidigung|title=Verteidigungshaushalt 2024|url=https://www.bmvg.de/de/themen/verteidigungshaushalt|language=de}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><br />
€71.75 billion (2024)<br /><small> Incl. 2nd tranche of special assets</small><ref name="Haushalt 2024" /><br>(US$77.8 billion)
| percent_GDP = 2.12 % (2024) <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2024/6/pdf/240617-def-exp-2024-en.pdf#page=9/ |title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2024) |publisher=NATO|date=2024-06-17|accessdate=2024-06-18|language=en}}</ref>
| domestic_suppliers = [[Airbus]]<br />[[Rheinmetall]]<br />[[Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft]]<br />[[KNDS Deutschland]]<br />[[Hensoldt]]<br />[[MBDA Deutschland GmbH]]<br />[[Heckler & Koch]]<br />[[Diehl Defence]]<br /> [[Carl Walther GmbH]]
| foreign_suppliers = {{flag|United States}}<br>{{flag|Sweden}}<br>{{flag|United Kingdom}}<br>{{flag|Netherlands}}<br>{{flag|Switzerland}}<br>{{flag|Canada}}<br>{{flag|Italy}}<br>{{flag|Belgium}}<br>{{flag|Poland}}<br>{{flag|Croatia}}<br>{{flag|Austria}}<br>{{flag|Norway}}<br>{{flag|France}}<br>{{flag|Israel}}
| imports = {{Currency|85 million|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} (2014–2022)<ref name="SIPRI_India"/>
| exports = {{Currency|1.53 billion|USD|passthrough=yes|linked=no}} (2014–2022)<ref name="SIPRI_India">{{cite web|url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/values.php|title=TIV of arms imports/exports data for India, 2014-2022|date=26 January 2024|work=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]}}</ref>
<!-- Related aricles -->| history = [[Military history of Germany]]<br> [[:Category:Wars involving Germany|Warfare directory of Germany]]<br>[[List of wars involving Germany|Wars involving Germany]]<br>[[:Category:Battles involving Germany|Battles involving Germany]]
| ranks = [[Rank insignia of the Bundeswehr]]
}}
The '''{{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}''' ({{IPA|de|ˈbʊndəsˌveːɐ̯|lang|De-Bundeswehr2.ogg}}, {{lit}} ''Federal Defence'') are the armed forces of the [[Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]]. The {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is divided into a military part (armed forces or ''Streitkräfte'') and a civil part. The military part consists of the four armed forces: [[German Army]], [[German Navy]], [[German Air Force]] and [[Cyber and Information Domain Service (Germany)|Cyber and Information Domain Service]], which are supported by the [[Bundeswehr Support Area]].

{{as of|2024|05|31}}, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} had a strength of 180,215  active-duty military personnel and 80,761 civilians,<ref name="bundeswehr">{{cite web|url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ueber-die-bundeswehr/zahlen-daten-fakten/personalzahlen-bundeswehr|title=Aktuelle Personalzahlen der Bundeswehr [Current personnel numbers of the Federal Defence]|access-date=28 January 2024}}</ref> placing it among the 30 largest military forces in the world, and making it the second largest in the [[European Union]] behind [[French Armed Forces|France]]. In addition, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} has approximately 34,600 reserve personnel (2024).<ref name="Reserve">{{cite web |title=Auftrag der Reserve |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ueber-die-bundeswehr/die-reserve-der-bundeswehr/auftrag-der-reserve-der-bundeswehr |access-date=13 August 2024}}</ref> With German military expenditures at $88.5&nbsp;billion (2024),<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Xiao Liang, Nan Tian, Diego Lopes da Silva,  Lorenzo Scarazzato,  Zubaita Karim, Jade, Guiberteau Ricard |date= |title=Trends in World Military Expenditure 2024 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2025-04/2504_fs_milex_2024.pdff#page=2 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=SIPRI}}</ref> the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is the fourth-highest-funded military in the world, though military expenditures have until recently remained low at an average at 1.5% of national GDP,<ref name=":0" />  well below the non-binding NATO target of 2%. In 2024, Germany fulfilled NATO obligations of spending 2% of its GDP on its armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ratz |first=Alexander |date=14 February 2024 |title=Germany hits 2% NATO spending target for first time since end of Cold War |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-hits-2-nato-target-first-time-since-1992-reports-dpa-2024-02-14/ |access-date=17 May 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref> Germany is aiming to expand the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} to around 203,000 soldiers by 2031 to better cope with increasing responsibilities.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Steigende Bewerberzahlen bei der Bundeswehr |url=https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/bundeswehr-bewerbungen-anstieg-frauen-100.html |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=18 April 2025 |website=zdf.de}}</ref>

Following concerns from the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Germany announced a major shift in policy, pledging a €100 billion special fund for the Bundeswehr{{snd}}to remedy years of underinvestment{{snd}}along with raising the budget to above 2% [[GDP]].<ref name=commits/> In 2025, the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany|German constitution]] was amended, exempting military and [[German Intelligence Service|intelligence]] spending above 1% GDP from the ''[[Schuldenbremse]]'' (debt limit)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reimer |first=Sören Christian |title=Deutscher Bundestag - Haushaltsausschuss beschließt Änderungen des Grundgesetzes |url=https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw11-pa-haushalt-sonntag-1056790 |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=Deutscher Bundestag |language=de}}</ref>.

== History ==
{{main|Military history of Germany|List of wars involving Germany}}

=== Founding principles ===
The name {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} was first proposed by former ''[[Wehrmacht]]'' general and [[Free Democratic Party of Germany|Liberal]] politician [[Hasso von Manteuffel]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-20 |title=Ardennen-Offensive: Verzögerung des Untergangs |url=https://zms.bundeswehr.de/de/ardennen-offensive-vom-16-bis-24-12-1944-5721616 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=zms.bundeswehr.de |language=de}}</ref> The [[Iron Cross]] ''(Eisernes Kreuz)'', a symbol that has a long association with the military of Germany, is its official emblem. The ''Schwarzes Kreuz'' is derived from the [[Black Cross (Teutonic Order)|black cross insignia]] of the medieval [[Teutonic knights]]; since 1813 the symbol has been used to denote a military decoration for all ranks.

When the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} was established in 1955, its founding principles were based on developing a completely new military force for the defence of [[West Germany]]. In this respect the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} did not consider itself to be a successor to either the ''[[Reichswehr]]'' (1921–1935) of the [[Weimar Republic]] or [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler's]] ''[[Wehrmacht]]'' (1935–1945), and did not adhere to the traditions of any former German military organization. Its official ethos is based on three major themes:<ref>{{cite web | title=Traditionen der Bundeswehr | url=http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLd443cXQESYGYxgEh-pEwsaCUVH1fj_zcVH1v_QD9gtyIckdHRUUAWBsN8w!!/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82X0NfNEVI | publisher=[[Bundesministerium der Verteidigung]] | language=de | access-date=6 August 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906201609/http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLd443cXQESYGYxgEh-pEwsaCUVH1fj_zcVH1v_QD9gtyIckdHRUUAWBsN8w!!/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82X0NfNEVI | archive-date=6 September 2008 | url-status=live }}</ref>
* the aims of the military reformers at the beginning of the 19th century such as [[Gerhard von Scharnhorst|Scharnhorst]], [[August Neidhardt von Gneisenau|Gneisenau]], and [[Carl von Clausewitz|Clausewitz]]
* the conduct displayed by members of the [[German resistance to Nazism|military resistance against Adolf Hitler]], especially the attempt of [[Claus von Stauffenberg]] and [[Henning von Tresckow]] to assassinate him.
* its own tradition since 1955.
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-34150-0001, Bonn, Theodor Blank, Bundeswehrfreiwillige.jpg|thumb|Generals [[Adolf Heusinger]] and [[Hans Speidel]] being sworn into the newly founded {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} by [[Theodor Blank]] on 12 November 1955]]
[[File:Großer Zapfenstreich auf dem Münchner Platz in Bonn.jpg|thumb|A ''[[Großer Zapfenstreich]]'' at the Federal Ministry of Defense in Bonn in 2002]]

One of the most visible traditions of the modern {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is the ''[[Großer Zapfenstreich]]''. This is a form of [[military tattoo]] that has its origins in the ''[[landsknecht]]'' era. The [[West Germany|FRG]] reinstated this formal military ceremony in 1952, three years before the foundation of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}. Today it is performed by a military band with 4 fanfare trumpeters and timpani, a corps of drums, up to two escort companies of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}'s ''[[Wachbataillon]]'' (or another deputized unit) and Torchbearers. The ''Zapfenstreich'' is only performed during national celebrations or solemn public commemorations. It can honour distinguished persons present such as the German federal president, or provide the conclusion to large military exercises.

Another important tradition in the modern German armed forces is the ''[[Ceremonial oath of the Bundeswehr|Gelöbnis]]'': the solemn oath made by serving professional soldiers, and recruits ([[Conscription in Germany|and formerly conscripts]]) during basic training. There are two kinds of oath: a pledge for recruits, and a solemn vow for full-time personnel.

The pledge is made annually on 20 July, the date on which a group of ''Wehrmacht'' officers attempted to [[July 20 plot|assassinate Adolf Hitler]] in 1944. Recruits from the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}'s ''Wachbataillon'' make their vow (''Gelöbnis'') at the [[Bendlerblock]] in Berlin. This was the headquarters of the resistance and also where the officers were summarily executed following the failure of the attempt. National commemorations are held nearby within the grounds of the [[Reichstag (building)|''Reichstag'']]. Similar events also take place across the German Republic. Since 2011, when conscription was suspended, the wording of the ceremonial vow for full-time recruits and volunteer personnel is:

::"''Ich gelobe, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen.''"
:::{{small|"I pledge to serve the Federal Republic of Germany loyally and to defend the right and the freedom of the German people bravely."}}
Serving {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} personnel replace "''Ich gelobe'', ..." with "''Ich schwöre'', ..." ("I swear...").

=== Cold War: 1955–1990 ===
{{See also|French–German enmity}}
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-098967, Aufnahme der Bundesrepublik in die NATO.jpg|thumb|The Federal Republic of Germany joined [[NATO]] in 1955.]]

After World War II the responsibility for the security of Germany as a whole rested with the four occupying [[Allies of World War II|Allied Powers]]: the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the [[Soviet Union]]. Germany had been without armed forces since the ''[[Wehrmacht]]'' was dissolved following [[World War II]]. When the Federal Republic of Germany was founded in 1949, it was without a military. Germany remained completely demilitarized and any plans for a German military were forbidden by Allied regulations.

Some naval mine-sweeping units such as the [[German Mine Sweeping Administration]] (''Deutscher Minenräumdienst'') continued to exist, but they remained unarmed and under Allied control and did not serve as a national defence force. The [[Bundesgrenzschutz|Federal Border Protection]] (''Bundesgrenzschutz''), a mobile, lightly armed police force of 10,000 men, was formed on 14 March 1951 and expanded to 20,000 men on 19 June 1953. A proposal to integrate West German troops with soldiers of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Italy in a [[European Defence Community]] was proposed but never implemented.

There was a discussion among the United States, the United Kingdom and France over the issue of a revived (West) German military. In particular, France was reluctant to allow Germany to rearm in light of recent history (Germany had invaded France twice in living memory, in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], and also defeated France in the [[Franco-Prussian War]] of 1870/71). However, after the project for a [[European Defence Community]] failed in the [[National Assembly (France)|French National Assembly]] in 1954, France agreed to West German accession to [[NATO]] and rearmament.

[[File:Leopard 2 A5 der Bundeswehr.jpg|thumb|[[Leopard 2]] tanks]]

With growing tensions between the Soviet Union and the West, especially after the [[Korean War]], this policy was to be revised. While the [[German Democratic Republic]] (East Germany) was already secretly rearming, the seeds of a new West German force started in 1950 when former high-ranking German officers were tasked by Chancellor [[Konrad Adenauer]] to discuss the options for [[West German rearmament]]. The results of a meeting in the monastery of [[Himmerod Abbey|Himmerod]] formed the conceptual base to build the new armed forces in West Germany.

The ''[[Amt Blank]]'' (Blank Agency, named after its director [[Theodor Blank]]), the predecessor of the later [[Federal Ministry of Defence (Germany)|Federal Ministry of Defence]], was formed the same year to prepare the establishment of the future forces. [[Hasso von Manteuffel]], a former general of the ''[[Wehrmacht]]'' and [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]] politician, submitted the name {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} for the new forces. This name was later confirmed by the West German ''Bundestag''.

The {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} was officially established on the 200th birthday of [[Gerhard von Scharnhorst|Scharnhorst]] on 12 November 1955. In personnel and education terms, the most important initial feature of the new German armed forces was to be their orientation as citizen defenders of a democratic state, fully subordinate to the political leadership of the country.<ref>Fritz Erler, 'Politik und nicht Prestige,' in Erler and Jaeger, Sicherheit und Rustung, 1962, p.82-3, cited in Julian Lider, Origins and Development of West German Military Thought, Vol. I, 1949–1966, Gower Publishing Company Ltd, Aldershot/Brookfield VT, 1986, p.125</ref> A personnel screening committee was created to make sure that the future colonels and generals of the armed forces were those whose political attitude and experience would be acceptable to the new democratic state.<ref>Aberheim, 'The Citizen in Uniform: Reform and its Critics in the Bundeswehr,' in Szabo, (ed.), The Bundeswehr and Western Security, St. Martin's Press, New York, 1990, p.39.</ref> There were a few key reformers, such as General [[Ulrich de Maiziere]], General [[Johann von Kielmansegg|Graf von Kielmansegg]], and [[Wolf Graf von Baudissin|Graf von Baudissin]],<ref>Donald Aberheim, 1990, p.37; Donald Aberheim, 'German Soldiers and German Unity: Political Foundations of the German Armed Forces,' California Naval Postgraduate School, 1991, p.14, cited in Artur A Bogowicz, '[http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA376462 Polish Armed Forces of 2000: Demands and Changes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222042357/http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA376462 |date=22 February 2014 }},' NPGS Thesis, March 2000, and Obituary for General Ulrich de Maizière, The Times, 13 September 2006</ref> who reemphasised some of the more democratic parts of Germany's armed forces history in order to establish a solid civil-military basis to build upon.
[[File:Mikoyan mig29.jpg|thumb|alt=A flying MiG 29 seen from above. The cross-shaped roundel of the Luftwaffe is painted on the left wing.|The {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} was the first NATO member to use the Soviet-built [[MiG 29]] jet, taken over from the former [[Air Forces of the National People's Army|East German Air Force]] after reunification.]]

After an amendment of the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany|Basic Law]] in 1955, West Germany became a member of NATO. The first public military review took place at [[Andernach]], in January 1956.<ref>Large, David Clay ''Germans to the Front West German rearmament in the Adenauer era'' University of North Carolina Press 1996 pp244-5 {{ISBN|0-8078-4539-6}}</ref> In 1956, [[conscription]] for all men between the ages of 18 and 45 was reintroduced, later augmented by a civil alternative with longer duration (see [[Conscription in Germany]]). In response, [[East Germany]] formed its own military force, the ''[[National_People's_Army|Nationale Volksarmee]]'' (NVA), in 1956, with conscription being established only in 1962. The ''[[National_People's_Army|Nationale Volksarmee]]'' was eventually dissolved with the [[reunification of Germany]] in 1990. Compulsory conscription was suspended{{snd}}but not completely abolished as an alternative{{snd}}in January 2011.

During the [[Cold War]] the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} was the backbone of NATO's conventional defence in [[Central Europe]]. It had a strength of 495,000 military and 170,000 civilian personnel. Although Germany had smaller armed forces than France and the United States, Cold War historian [[John Lewis Gaddis]] assesses the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} as "perhaps (the) world's best army".<ref>John Lewis Gaddis, 'The Cold War – a New History', Penguin Books, London, 2005, p.220</ref> The Army consisted of three corps with 12 divisions, most of them heavily armed with tanks and APCs. The ''Luftwaffe'' owned significant numbers of tactical combat aircraft and took part in [[NATINAD|NATO's integrated air defence (NATINAD)]]. The Navy was tasked and equipped to defend the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic Approaches]], to provide escort reinforcement and resupply shipping in the [[North Sea]] and to contain the [[Baltic Fleet|Soviet Baltic Fleet]].

{{further|Operation Summer Rain (Cold War)}}
During the [[Soviet-Afghan War]] in the 1980s, German special forces of the Bundeswehr were deployed as part of a covert operation. During this time, [[Operation Summer Rain (Cold War)|Operation Summer Rain]] played a significant role. The [[German Federal Intelligence Service]] (BND) conducted this secret mission, where special forces were infiltrated from [[West Germany]] to [[Pakistan]] and then into [[Afghanistan]].

The primary task of these special units was to clandestinely acquire Soviet weapon technology, including armor for combat helicopters, vehicles, landmines, modern ammunition such as uranium rounds, rocket warheads, night vision devices, and navigation technology. Collaboration with the insurgent Mujahideen was central to this covert operation.

During this time the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} did not take part in combat operations. However, there were a number of large-scale training exercises resulting in operational casualties. The first such incident was in June 1957, when 15 paratroop recruits drowned in the [[Iller|Iller river, Bavaria]].<ref>Large op.cit. pp263-4</ref>

=== German Reunification 1990 ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1990-1003-040, Strausberg, Eppelmann, Stoltenberg, Schönbohm.jpg|thumb|At a festive event on German Unity Day, Federal Defense Minister [[Gerhard Stoltenberg]] takes over command of the [[National People's Army|armed forces]] of the former GDR.]]
At the time of reunification, the German military boasted a manpower of some 585,000 soldiers.<ref name="auto"/> As part of the [[German reunification]] process, under the [[Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany]] (Two-Plus Four Treaty), which paved the way for reunification, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} was to be reduced to 370,000 personnel, of whom no more than 345,000 were to be in the Army and Air Force. This would be Germany's contribution to the [[Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe]], and the restrictions would enter into force at the time the CFE treaty would. As a result, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} was significantly reduced, and the former East German ''[[Nationale Volksarmee]]'' (NVA) was disbanded, with a portion of its personnel and materiel being absorbed into the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}.
[[File:Eurofighter 9803.ogg|thumb|thumbtime=32|A [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] of the [[German Air Force|''Luftwaffe'']]]]

About 50,000 ''Volksarmee'' personnel were integrated into the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} on 2 October 1990. This figure was rapidly reduced as conscripts and short-term volunteers completed their service. A number of senior officers (but no generals or admirals) received limited contracts for up to two years to continue daily operations. Personnel remaining in the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} were awarded new contracts and new ranks, dependent on their individual qualification and experience. Many were granted and accepted a lower rank than previously held in the ''Volksarmee''.

In general, the unification process of the two militaries{{snd}}under the slogan "''Armee der Einheit''" (or "Army of Unity"){{snd}}has been seen publicly as a major success and an example for other parts of the society.

With the reduction, a large amount of the [[Military technology|military hardware]] of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}, as well as of the ''Volksarmee'', had to be disposed of. Most of the [[Vehicle armour|armoured vehicles]] and [[Fighter jet|fighter jet aircraft]] (the ''Bundesluftwaffe''{{snd}}due to reunification{{snd}}was the only air force in the world that flew both Phantoms and MIGs) were dismantled under international disarmament procedures. Many ships were scrapped or sold, often to the [[Baltic states]] or [[Indonesia]] (the latter received 39 former ''Volksmarine'' vessels of various types).

With reunification, all restrictions on the manufacture and possession of conventional arms that had been imposed on the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} as a condition for West German rearmament were lifted.<ref>Duffield, John: ''World Power Forsaken: Political Culture, International Institutions, and German Security Policy After Unification'', p. 32</ref>

Since 1996, Germany also has its own special forces, the ''[[Kommando Spezialkräfte]]'' (Special Forces Command). It was formed after German citizens had to be rescued from the [[Rwandan genocide]] by [[Immediate Reaction Cell|Belgian Para-Commandos]] as the [[GSG 9|Special Commands]] of the [[Federal Police (Germany)|Federal Police]] were not capable of operating in a war zone.

=== Reorientation ===
{{Image frame
|width = 400
|align=right
|pos=bottom
|content=
<div style="padding-top: 12px;">'''German military spending'''</div>
<div style="margin: 10px 5px -22px -50px; font-size: 80%;">{{ #invoke:Chart | bar-chart
 | width = 400
 | height = 300
 | group 1 = 17642 : 17861 : 20638 : 19656 : 23921 : 17920 : 28710 : 30912 : 32867 : 41788 : 46913 : 44984 : 44382 : 43562 : 45315 : 40220 : 44115 : 44617 : 47801 : 51133 : 53095 : 55450 : 55198 : 54800 : 54565 : 56885 : 57679 : 58453 : 59139 : 58376 : 58883 : 58291 : 58415 : 59965 : 61038 : 60549 : 60384 : 63636 : 58892 : 56010 : 50351 : 46958 : 46158 : 45282 : 34611 : 43761 : 44646 : 43942 : 43220 : 43337 : 42745 : 41435 : 34533 : 39879 : 39940 : 40885 : 42433 : 42536 : 41674 : 42865 : 41280 : 41329 : 42039 : 43863 : 45121 : 46366 : 50861 : 54192 : 53716 : 56153 : 61187
 | colors = blue
 | hide group legends = 1
 | group names =
 | units suffix = _m.
 | x legends = 1953 : : : : : : : 1960 : : : : : : : : : : 1970 : : : : : : : : : : 1980 : : : : : : : : : : 1990 : : : : : : : : : : 2000 : : : : : : : : : : 2010 : : : : : : : : : : 2020 : : :
 }}</div>
|caption = Military spending: Constant 2022 USD million (1953–2023)<ref name="SIPRI">
{{cite web |url=https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sipri.org%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FSIPRI-Milex-data-1948-2023.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK|format=XLSX|title=Military expenditure by country as percentage of government spending, 1988-2023|date=2024-04-14 |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=2024-06-10}}</ref>
}}
A major event for the German military was a series of defense spending cuts and the suspension of the compulsory [[Conscription in Germany|conscription]] for men in 2011. These were introduced by Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]] and Finance Minister [[Wolfgang Schäuble]] as part of [[austerity]] measures in response to the [[Great Recession]] and the [[European debt crisis]].<ref>Tooze, Adam (2018). ''Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World''. New York, New York: Viking Press. p. 354. {{ISBN|978-0-670-02493-3}}. {{OCLC|1039188461}}.</ref> In 2011/12, a major reform of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} was announced under [[Thomas de Maizière]], further limiting the number of military bases and soldiers. The land forces of the Bundeswehr would have three large units at divisional level. There are currently five. The number of brigades decreased from eleven to eight.<ref name=zukunft>{{cite web |title=Ausblick: Die Bundeswehr der Zukunft | url=http://www.bmvg.de/portal/a/bmvg/!ut/p/c4/NYu7DsIwEAT_yGeLIoiOKAjR0gTTOY7lHPilyyU0fDx2wa40xY4WnlCbzI7eMOZkAjxAWzxNHzHF3YtX3qiuYkW7OFoc8lpyQMY3jO06O2FzctzILjFWejKcSZRMHJrZiKoROIOWauilkv-o7_GqL50-yG649XcoMZ5_83Q_9Q!!/| publisher=[[Bundesministerium der Verteidigung]] |access-date=27 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625060415/http://www.bmvg.de/portal/a/bmvg/!ut/p/c4/NYu7DsIwEAT_yGeLIoiOKAjR0gTTOY7lHPilyyU0fDx2wa40xY4WnlCbzI7eMOZkAjxAWzxNHzHF3YtX3qiuYkW7OFoc8lpyQMY3jO06O2FzctzILjFWejKcSZRMHJrZiKoROIOWauilkv-o7_GqL50-yG649XcoMZ5_83Q_9Q!!| archive-date=25 June 2011| date=18 May 2011 |url-status=live |language=de}}</ref>

German military expenditures are lower than comparable countries such as the United Kingdom, or countries of the [[European Union]] such as France, especially when taking into account Germany's larger population and economy. This discrepancy is often criticized by Germany's [[NATO]] allies, as far back as [[Obama]]-era [[US Secretary of Defense]] [[Robert M. Gates]].<ref name=nytdim>{{cite news| title=Defense Secretary Warns NATO of "Dim" Future| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/world/europe/11gates.html?_r=0| work=New York Times| access-date=27 December 2012| first=Thom| last=Shanker| date=10 June 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724042706/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/world/europe/11gates.html?_r=0| archive-date=24 July 2014| url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ustsp>{{cite news| title=US Think Tank Slams Germany's NATO Role| newspaper=Der Spiegel| date=18 May 2012| url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/think-tank-criticizes-germany-s-role-in-nato-a-833797.html| publisher=[[Spiegel Online]]| access-date=27 December 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224201046/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/think-tank-criticizes-germany-s-role-in-nato-a-833797.html| archive-date=24 December 2012| url-status=live |last1=Schmitz |first1=Gregor Peter}}</ref>

As one result of the [[2014 NATO Wales summit]] which was attended by both Merkel and [[Ursula von der Leyen]] in September 2014,<ref name="alozius21">{{cite journal |title= NATO's Two Percent Guideline: A Demand for Military Expenditure Perspective | journal=Defence and Peace Economics|volume=33|author=Juuko Alozious| year=2022| issue=4| pages=475–488|doi=10.1080/10242694.2021.1940649| s2cid=237888569| doi-access=free}}</ref> the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} acknowledged in October chronic equipment problems that rendered its armed forces "unable to deliver its defensive NATO promises". Among the problems cited were dysfunctional weapons systems, armored vehicles, aircraft, and naval vessels unfit for immediate service due to a neglect of maintenance, and serious equipment and spare parts shortages. The situation was so dire in 2016 that it was acknowledged that most of Germany's [[fighter aircraft]] and [[Attack helicopter|combat helicopters]] were not in deployable condition,<ref name=foreignaffairs>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/europe/2016-01-19/bundeswehr-backs-away-brink|title=Inside Germany's Higher Defense Spending – Foreign Affairs|magazine=Foreign Affairs|date=19 January 2016|access-date=21 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122092701/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/europe/2016-01-19/bundeswehr-backs-away-brink|archive-date=22 January 2016|url-status=live |last1=Braw|first1=Elisabeth}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.de/germanys-von-der-leyen-admits-major-bundeswehr-shortfalls/a-17959798|title=Germany′s von der Leyen admits major Bundeswehr shortfalls |date=27 September 2014|work=[[Deutsche Welle]] |access-date=29 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928021232/http://www.dw.de/germanys-von-der-leyen-admits-major-bundeswehr-shortfalls/a-17959798|archive-date=28 September 2014|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/ramshackle-army-at-odds-with-berlin-s-global-aspirations-a-994607.html |title=Ramshackle Army at Odds with Berlin's Global Aspirations – Spiegel Online |website=Spiegel.de |date=30 September 2014 |access-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312183955/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/ramshackle-army-at-odds-with-berlin-s-global-aspirations-a-994607.html |archive-date=12 March 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> although the Air Force had almost 38,000 soldiers,<ref name=zukunft/> and von der Leyen's daycare system to boot.<ref name=hug1>Justin Huggler (2 June 2014), [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/10870695/German-army-to-offer-soldiers-creches-and-flat-screen-TVs.html German army to offer soldiers crèches and flat-screen TVs] ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''.</ref><ref name=hug2>Justin Huggler (12 September 2014), [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/11093249/After-army-creches-and-cosy-barracks-Germany-has-new-idea-for-troops-shorter-working-hours.html After army crèches and cosy barracks, Germany has new idea for troops – shorter working hours] ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''.</ref>

In 2015, as a result of the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]], Germany announced what was termed "a major increase" in defense spending. In May 2015, the German government approved an increase in defense spending, at the time 1.3% of GDP, by 6.2% over the following five years, allowing the Ministry of Defense to fully modernize the army.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-defence-budget-idUSKBN0MD1T420150317|title=Germany to boost mid-term defense spending|date=17 March 2015|work=Reuters|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905052524/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-defence-budget-idUSKBN0MD1T420150317|archive-date=5 September 2017|url-status=live }}</ref> The 2015 reform set a required strength of 185,000 soldiers.<ref>Madeline Chambers (3 December 2015), [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-germany-idUSKBN0TM25A20151203 More assertive Germany considers bigger army as Syria vote looms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142958/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-germany-idUSKBN0TM25A20151203 |date=9 September 2017 }} ''[[Reuters]]''.</ref> Plans were also announced to significantly expand the tank fleet to a potential number of 328, order 131 more [[Boxer (armoured fighting vehicle)|Boxer armored personnel carriers]], increase the submarine fleet, and to develop a new fighter jet to replace the [[Panavia Tornado]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/54292/germany-italy-may-increase-submarine-fleets |title=Germany, Italy may increase submarine fleets |first=Alex |last=Pape |access-date=28 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231193129/http://www.janes.com/article/54292/germany-italy-may-increase-submarine-fleets |archive-date=31 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/land/vehicles/2015/12/17/germanys-army-procures-new-boxer-armored-personnel-carriers/77491026/|title=Germany's Army To Procure 131 New Boxer Armored Personnel carriers|date=17 December 2015|work=Defense News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/germany-plans-to-develop/2365042.html|title=Germany plans to develop new fighter jet to replace Tornado|work=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=28 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105130445/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/germany-plans-to-develop/2365042.html|archive-date=5 January 2016|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/german-military-to-bring-back-mothballed-tanks/a-18375092|title=German military to bring back mothballed tanks|work=DW.COM|access-date=28 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103014429/http://www.dw.com/en/german-military-to-bring-back-mothballed-tanks/a-18375092|archive-date=3 January 2016|url-status=live }}</ref> Germany considered increasing the size of the army,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-germany-idUSKBN0TM25A20151203|title=More assertive Germany considers bigger army as Syria vote looms|author=Madeline Chambers|date=3 December 2015|work=Reuters|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909142958/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-germany-idUSKBN0TM25A20151203|archive-date=9 September 2017|url-status=live }}</ref> and in May 2016 it announced it would spend €130&nbsp;billion on new equipment by 2030 and add nearly 7,000 soldiers by 2023 in the first German military expansion since the end of the Cold War.<ref>{{cite news | last1=Smale | first1=Alison | title=In a Reversal, Germany's Military Growth Is Met With Western Relief | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/06/world/europe/european-union-germany-army.html?_r=0 | date=5 June 2016 | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | access-date=2 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908131531/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/06/world/europe/european-union-germany-army.html?_r=0 | archive-date=8 September 2017 | url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Tomkiw | first1=Lydia | title=Germany Announces First Military Expansion Since Cold War Amid Cyber Threats, US Pressure | url=http://www.ibtimes.com/germany-announces-first-military-expansion-cold-war-amid-cyber-threats-us-pressure-2366946 | date=10 May 2016 | website=[[International Business Times]] | access-date=2 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303050641/http://www.ibtimes.com/germany-announces-first-military-expansion-cold-war-amid-cyber-threats-us-pressure-2366946 | archive-date=3 March 2017 | url-status=live  }}</ref> In February 2017, the German government announced another expansion, which would increase the number of its professional soldiers by 20,000 by 2024.<ref>{{cite web | title=Germany to Expand Bundeswehr to Almost 200,000 Troops | url=http://dw.com/p/2Xzn0 | date=21 February 2017 | publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] | access-date=2 March 2017}}</ref>

As of May 2025, the Bundeswehr is permanently stationing a full armored brigade abroad for the first time in its postwar history. The [[45th Panzer Brigade (Bundeswehr)|45th Panzer Brigade “Litauen”]] based in Lithuania, is part of Germany’s broader ''Zeitenwende'' strategy to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank and transition from rotational deployments to structural forward presence.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-05-17 |title=Germany Formalizes Permanent Armored Brigade in Lithuania: 45th 'Brigade Litauen' to Absorb eFP Force, Reach 2,000 Troops by 2026 |url=https://www.grosswald.org/germany-formalizes-permanent-armored-brigade-in-lithuania-45th-brigade-litauen-to-absorb-efp-force-reach-2-000-troops-by-2026/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Großwald {{!}} Structured Intelligence on European Defense |language=en}}</ref> The brigade is expected to include 2,000 personnel by 2026, with additional supporting infrastructure provided jointly with Lithuania.

=== Coordination with European Partners ===
As a consequence of improved Dutch-German cooperation, since 2014 two of the three [[Royal Netherlands Army]] Brigades are under German Command. In 2014, the [[11th Airmobile Brigade (Netherlands)|11th Airmobile Brigade]] was integrated into the German Division of fast forces (DSK). The Dutch [[43rd Mechanized Brigade (Netherlands)|43rd Mechanized Brigade]] will be assigned to the [[1st Panzer Division (Bundeswehr)|1st ''Panzer'' Division]] of the German army, with the integration starting at the beginning of 2016, and the unit becoming operational at the end of 2019.<ref name=janes16>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/54636/dutch-mechanized-brigade-to-be-integrated-into-german-panzer-division |first=Nicholas |last=Fiorenza |title=Dutch mechanized brigade to be integrated into German panzer division |access-date=10 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322031908/http://www.janes.com/article/54636/dutch-mechanized-brigade-to-be-integrated-into-german-panzer-division |archive-date=22 March 2016 }}</ref> In February 2016 it was announced that the [[Sea Battalion (Germany)|''Seebatallion'']] of the German Navy would start to operate under [[Royal Netherlands Navy|Royal Dutch Navy]] command.<ref name=duint>{{cite web|last1=Mehta |first1=Aaron |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/2016/02/04/bundeswehr-sea-battalion-dutch-navy-integration/79845430/ |title=German Armed Forces To Integrate Sea Battalion Into Dutch Navy |first2=Lars |last2=Hoffmann |website=Defensenews.com |date=4 February 2016 |access-date=2 March 2017}}</ref> The Dutch-German military cooperation was seen in 2016 by von der Leyen and Dutch Minister of Defence [[Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert]] as an example for setting up a European defense union.<ref name=duint/>

According to a policy dictated by von der Leyen in February 2017, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is to play a greater role as "anchor army" for smaller [[NATO]] states, by improving coordination between its divisions and smaller members' [[Brigade]]s.<ref name=anchorarmy>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/EN/Artikel/2017/02_en/2017-02-15-nato-vm-treffen_en.html?nn=392768|title=Bundesregierung – Europa – NATO: Investing more in security|website=bundesregierung.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611073707/https://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/EN/Artikel/2017/02_en/2017-02-15-nato-vm-treffen_en.html?nn=392768|archive-date=11 June 2017|url-status=live |date=16 February 2017}}</ref>

A further proposal by Minister of Defence [[Ursula von der Leyen]], to allow non-German [[Citizenship of the European Union|EU nationals]] to join the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}, was met in July 2016 by strong opposition, even from her own party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euractiv.com/section/security/news/germany-proposes-allowing-non-germans-to-join-its-army/|title=Germany proposes allowing foreigners to join its army|date=14 July 2016|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415103922/http://www.euractiv.com/section/security/news/germany-proposes-allowing-non-germans-to-join-its-army/|archive-date=15 April 2017|url-status=live }}</ref>

It was announced in February 2017 that the [[Czech Republic]]'s [[4th Rapid Deployment Brigade (Czech Republic)|4th Rapid Deployment Brigade]] and [[Romania]]'s [[81st Mechanized Brigade (Romania)|81st Mechanized Brigade]] would be integrated into Germany's [[10th Armoured Division (Bundeswehr)|10 Armoured Division]] and Rapid Response Forces Division.<ref name=czroint>{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_141113.htm?selectedLocale=en |title=Germany, Romania and the Czech Republic deepen defence ties |access-date=16 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217144429/http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_141113.htm?selectedLocale=en |archive-date=17 February 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The 4 RDB-10 PD link is not an isolated Czech–German initiative.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-26 |title=Czechia’s 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade inside Germany’s 10th Armoured Division |url=https://www.grosswald.org/czechias-4th-rapid-deployment-brigade-inside-germanys-10th-armoured-division-10-pzdiv/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Großwald {{!}} Structured Intelligence on European Defense |language=en}}</ref> It sits beside:

* Netherlands – three brigades integrated into German divisions since 2016.
* Romania – 9th Mechanised Brigade tied to the Bundeswehr’s Rapid Response Forces Division.
* Lithuania (2025) – standing up Panzer Brigade 45 under 10 PD for the new German permanent brigade in Rūdninkai.<ref name=":1" /> 

Taken together, Germany is slowly contributing to a pre-integrated divisional structure.

===Consequences of 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine===
{{as of|2022|12|31}}, the number of active military personnel in the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} was 183,051.<ref name="bundeswehr"/> Military expenditure in Germany was at $52.8&nbsp;billion in 2020.<ref name="SIPRI-2020">{{cite web |last1=Tian |first1=Nan |last2=Fleurant |first2=Aude |last3=Kuimova |first3=Alexandra |last4=Wezeman |first4=Pieter D. |last5=Wezeman |first5=Siemon T. |date=24 April 2023 |title=Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2022 |url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/2304_fs_milex_2022.pdf |access-date=2 April 2023 |publisher=[[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]]}}</ref>

At the end of February 2022, in light of [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's invasion of Ukraine]], [[Chancellor of Germany|chancellor]] [[Olaf Scholz]] announced a plan to increase the power of the German military, pledging €100 billion ($112.7 billion) of the 2022 budget for the armed forces and repeating his promise to reach the 2% of gross domestic product spending on defense in line with (as editorialized by ''[[Deutsche Welle]]'') NATO "demands".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Helferich |first=John |date=2023-04-01 |title=The (false) promise of Germany’s Zeitenwende |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/17816858231157556 |journal=European View |language=EN |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=85–95 |doi=10.1177/17816858231157556 |issn=1781-6858|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=commits>{{cite web | last1= | first1= | title=Germany commits €100 billion to defense spending | url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-commits-100-billion-to-defense-spending/a-60933724 | date=27 February 2022 | website=[[Deutsche Welle]] | access-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227113954/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-commits-100-billion-to-defense-spending/a-60933724 |archive-date=27 February 2022 | url-status=live  }}</ref>

According to information from defense politicians of the federal German parliament, representatives of the armaments industry and other experts, in October 2022 the Bundeswehr only had enough ammunition in stock for one or two days during wartime.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Helferich |first=John |date=2024 |title=Trapped in the grey zone: NATO-CSDP relations in a new era of European security governance |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41311-024-00647-9 |journal=International Politics |language=en |doi=10.1057/s41311-024-00647-9 |issn=1740-3898|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Heimbach |first=Tobias |date=2022-10-10 |title=Munition für maximal zwei Tage Krieg: Bundeswehr muss ihre Arsenale auffüllen – doch bislang bestellt sie nur wenig |url=https://www.businessinsider.de/politik/deutschland/munition-fuer-maximal-zwei-tage-krieg-bundeswehr-muss-ihre-arsenale-auffuellen-doch-bislang-bestellt-sie-nur-wenig-c/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=[[Business Insider]] |language=de-DE}}</ref>

A report made by the Ministry of Defence revealed problems in the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} such as limited preparedness and lack of equipment. In the letter accompanying the report which was sent to the federal [[Bundestag|German parliament]], the Minister of Defence noted that the situation would improve but "closing the gaps takes time".<ref>[https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/bundeswehr-einsatzbereitschaft-bericht-1.5714590 Bericht offenbart eklatante Schwächen der Bundeswehr]</ref>

== Organisation ==
=== History of organisation ===
With the growing number of missions abroad it was recognized that the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} required a new command structure. A reform commission under the chairmanship of the former President [[Richard von Weizsäcker]] presented its recommendations in spring 2000.

In October 2000 the [[Joint Support Service (Germany)|Joint Support Service]], the ''[[Streitkräftebasis]]'', was established to concentrate logistics and other supporting functions such as military police, supply and communications under one command. Medical support was reorganised with the establishment of the [[Bundeswehr Joint Medical Service|Joint Medical Service]]. In 2016, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} created its youngest branch the [[Cyber and Information Space Command (Germany)|Cyber and Information Space Command]].

=== Senior leadership ===
The Minister of Defence is supported by the Chief of Defense (CHOD, ''[[Inspector General of the Bundeswehr|Generalinspekteur]]'') and the service chiefs (''Inspekteure'': [[Inspector of the Army]], [[Inspector of the Air Force]], [[Inspector of the Navy]]) and their respective staffs in his or her function as commander-in-chief. The CHOD and the service chiefs form the Military Command Council (''Militärischer Führungsrat'') with functions similar to those of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] in the United States. Subordinate to the CHOD is the [[Einsatzführungskommando|Armed Forces Operational Command (''Einsatzführungskommando'')]]. For smaller missions one of the service HQs (e.g. the Fleet Command) may exercise command and control of forces in missions abroad. The ''[[Bundestag]]'' must approve any foreign deployment by a simple majority. This has led to some discontent with Germany's allies about troop deployments e.g. in Afghanistan since parliamentary consent over such issues is relatively hard to achieve in Germany.

=== Combat forces ===
The combat forces of the Army are organised into three combat [[division (military)|divisions]] and participate in multi-national command structures at the [[corps]] level. The Air Force maintains three divisions and the Navy is structured into two flotillas. The Joint Support Service and the Joint Medical Service are both organized in four regional commands of identical structure. All of these services also have general commands for training, procurement, and other general issues.

[[File:F220-Hamburg-130311-N-XQ474-229-crop.jpg|thumb|left|A [[German Navy]] [[Sachsen-class frigate]]]]

=== Operational Command ===
The Armed Forces Operational Command (''[[Einsatzführungskommando]] der Bundeswehr'') is the only joint military command of the Bundeswehr. It controls  all missions abroad. The command is located at Henning von Tresckow Kaserne ([[Schwielowsee]]) near [[Potsdam]] and is headed by a [[Generalleutnant]] (3-star general).

=== Mission ===
[[File:ATF Dingo in German service (Afghanistan).jpg|thumb|[[German Army]] soldiers [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|in Afghanistan]] in front of [[ATF Dingo|Dingo]] infantry mobility vehicles, 2009]]

The role of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is described in the [[Constitution of Germany]] (Art. 87a) as absolutely defensive only. Its only active role before 1990 was the ''Katastropheneinsatz'' (disaster control). Within the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}, it helped after natural disasters both in Germany and abroad. After 1990, the international situation changed from east–west confrontation to one of general uncertainty and instability.

After a ruling of the [[Federal Constitutional Court]] in 1994 the term "defence" has been defined to not only include protection of the borders of Germany, but also crisis reaction and conflict prevention, or more broadly as guarding the security of Germany anywhere in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bmvg.de/portal/a/bmvg/!ut/p/c4/DcwxDsMgDEbhs_QCeO-WW6RdECSG_Ap1IttQqacvesO3PXrTTNJATY5LUqOVXhue-RvyZ9Rg2A7Wg-F2Xw2OMzDEkv9i6axxZ4lFwdPQ1Rkt5i4722AtyaxLtco6L073uTz-dYP0ig!!/ |title=RSS-Feed (Bundeswehr und Bundesministerium der Verteidigung) |language=de |website=BMVg.de |date=14 January 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618164904/http://www.bmvg.de/portal/a/bmvg/!ut/p/c4/DcwxDsMgDEbhs_QCeO-WW6RdECSG_Ap1IttQqacvesO3PXrTTNJATY5LUqOVXhue-RvyZ9Rg2A7Wg-F2Xw2OMzDEkv9i6axxZ4lFwdPQ1Rkt5i4722AtyaxLtco6L073uTz-dYP0ig!! |archive-date=18 June 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the definition given by Defence Minister [[Peter Struck (politician)|Peter Struck]] (2002 to 2005), it may be necessary to defend Germany even at the [[Hindu Kush]]. This requires the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} to take part in operations outside of the borders of Germany, as part of NATO or the [[European Union]] and mandated by the UN.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

== Operations ==
Since the early 1990s the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} has become more and more engaged in international operations in and around the former [[Yugoslavia]], and also in other parts of the world like [[Cambodia]] or [[Somalia]]. After the [[11 September 2001 attacks]], German forces were employed in most related theaters except [[Iraq]].[[File:Fregatte Karlsruhe.jpg|thumb|Frigate ''Karlsruhe'' of the German Navy rescuing shipwrecked people off the coast of Somalia where it is patrolling]]

Currently (1 April 2024) there are 1,084 {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} soldiers deployed in:<ref name="bundeswehr"/>
* {{flag|Kosovo}}
** [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]]
*** 100 personnel
* {{flag|South Sudan}}
** [[UNMISS]]
*** 14 personnel
* {{flag|Lebanon}}
** [[UNIFIL]]
*** 226 personnel
* [[Mediterranean Sea]]
** [[Operation Sea Guardian]]
*** 42 personnel
* [[Mediterranean Sea]]
** [[Operation Irini]]
*** 16 personnel
* {{Flag|Syria}} / {{Flag|Iraq}}
** [[German intervention against the Islamic State|Operation Counter Daesh]]
*** 293 personnel
* [[Western Sahara]]
** [[United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara|MINURSO]]
*** 3 personnel

In addition to the numbers above, 51 soldiers are on permanent stand-by for medical evacuation operations around the world in assistance of ongoing German or coalition operations ([[Medical evacuation|STRATAIRMEDEVAC]]).

In support of Allied stabilization efforts in Iraq, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is also training the new [[Iraqi security forces]] in locations outside Iraq, such as the [[United Arab Emirates]] and Germany.

Since 1994, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} has lost about 100 troops in foreign deployments, including [[German Armed Forces casualties in Afghanistan|in Afghanistan]].

In 2025, the Bundeswehr undertook its first permanent foreign deployment since World War II, establishing the 45th Panzer Brigade in [[Lithuania]]. This brigade is expected to reach 5,000 troops by 2027.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Germany is building a big scary army |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/06/04/germany-is-building-a-big-scary-army |access-date=2025-06-08 |work=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

=== Equipment ===
{{further|List of modern equipment of the German Army|German Air Force#Aircraft|l2=Aircraft Inventory of the German Luftwaffe|List of active ships of the German Navy}}

According to the new threat scenario facing Germany and its [[NATO]] allies, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is currently reorganising itself. To realise growth in mobility and the enlargement of the air force's capabilities, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is going to buy 53 [[Airbus A400M]] transports as well as additional [[Eurofighter Typhoon]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany To Purchase 20 Additional Eurofighter Jets |url=https://www.eurofighter.com/news/germany-to-purchase-20-additional-eurofighter-jets |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Eurofighter Typhoon |language=en}}</ref> fighters, [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35 fighters]]<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-decides-principle-buy-f-35-fighter-jet-government-source-2022-03-14/ Germany to buy 35 Lockheed F-35 fighter jets from U.S. amid Ukraine crisis]</ref> and also several [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] models. [[NH90]] helicopters (49 of them in the naval version) are being delivered while 60 [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|Boeing CH-47F Chinook]] heavy transport helicopters will be delivered in 2027.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-05 |title=Bundeswehr: Bundestagsausschüsse genehmigen Kauf von 60 Chinook-Transporthubschraubern |url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/bundestagsausschuesse-genehmigen-kauf-von-60-chinook-transporthubschraubern-a-95f5b71c-27dd-4b68-b2d4-a6b3084b55cc |access-date=2024-07-30 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}</ref>

For the ground forces it plans to procure 579 [[Puma (IFV)|Puma]] infantry fighting vehicles, at least 503 [[Boxer MRAV]], started to introduce a novel [[IdZ|land soldier system]] and a new generation of transportation vehicles and light vehicles, such as the [[Fennek]], and [[Mowag Eagle]]. Further, the German Navy is going to build 6 new [[MKS 180 frigate|F126 class frigate]]s,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-12 |title=Niedersachsenklasse – Marine bekommt zwei weitere F126 Fregatten |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/niedersachsenklasse-marine-bekommt-zwei-weitere-f126-fregatten/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |language=de-DE}}</ref> new spy ships, support vessels and additional [[Type 212 submarine]]s in an enlarged version.

<gallery class="center">
Image:Tag der Bundeswehr NH90 (cropped).jpg|[[NH90]] helicopter
File:GTK Boxer Fuehrungsfahrzeug front.jpg|[[Boxer MRAV]]
Image:German Air Force Airbus A400M (out cropped).jpg|[[Airbus A400M]]
</gallery>

== Appearance ==
=== Uniforms ===
{{See also|Military uniform#Germany}}
[[File:Bundeswehr - 10th Anniversary of Multinational Corps Northeast.jpg|thumb|German Army signallers in service uniforms]]

The service uniform is theoretically the standard type of {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} uniform for general duty and off-post activity,<ref name="loc">{{country study|country=Germany|abbr=de|section=Uniforms, Ranks, and Insignia|author=Jean R. Tartte}}</ref> but is most associated with ceremonial occasions.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} The army's service uniform consists of a light grey, single-breasted coat and darker grey trousers, worn with a light blue shirt, black tie, and black shoes.<ref name="loc" /> The peaked, visored cap has been replaced by the [[military beret#Germany|beret]] as the most common form of headgear.<ref name="loc" /> Dress uniforms featuring dinner jackets or double-breasted coats are worn by officers for various social occasions.<ref name="loc" />

The battle and work uniform consists of ''[[Flecktarn]]'' camouflage fatigues, which are also worn on field duty.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} In practice, they are also used for general duty and off-post at least at barracks where there is also field duty even by others, and for the way home or to the post, and generally regarded as the ''Heer'' uniform.<ref>A soldier's joke about this situation runs thus: "The service uniform is called service uniform because it's not worn on service, while the field uniform is called field uniform because it's not worn in the field." (In the field they wear the battle uniform ("Gefechtsanzug"), an extended version of the field uniform.)</ref> In all three services, light sand-coloured uniforms are available for duty in warmer climates.<ref name="loc" /> In 2016 a new ''Multitarn'' pattern was launched, similar to the [[MultiCam]] uniforms of the [[British Army]] or [[US Army]].<ref>[https://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/NYsxDsMgEAR_xEEKIqWz4yZtmhg3FjYnCwUDOh9xk8cHiuxK08wuTFAb7cdvln2KNsAIZvW35RTL6VDYNxcMAQ9hyzE7pJmp5Izwasc6WFNEbmSM7Cs3spxI5EQcmilE1QjvwEg19Ooq_1HfTpu7ni5aDo_-CXnfux_9yhaG/ Bei jedem Wetter, zu jeder Zeit: Neue Tarnung für die Truppe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025132358/https://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/NYsxDsMgEAR_xEEKIqWz4yZtmhg3FjYnCwUDOh9xk8cHiuxK08wuTFAb7cdvln2KNsAIZvW35RTL6VDYNxcMAQ9hyzE7pJmp5Izwasc6WFNEbmSM7Cs3spxI5EQcmilE1QjvwEg19Ooq_1HfTpu7ni5aDo_-CXnfux_9yhaG/ |date=25 October 2016 }} bundeswehr.de. Erding, Bayern, 9 February 2016.</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/neue-bundeswehr-multi-tarnuniform-soll-unsichtbar-machen-14099437.html |title=Neue Bundeswehr Multi-Tarnuniform soll unsichtbar machen |website=Faz.net |date=23 April 2016 |access-date=2 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208213421/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/neue-bundeswehr-multi-tarnuniform-soll-unsichtbar-machen-14099437.html |archive-date=8 February 2017 |url-status=live |last1=Borgans |first1=Christoph }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wiwo.de/technologie/umwelt/die-bundeswehr-tarnt-sich-deutsche-soldaten-bekommen-neue-uniform/13502228.html|title=Die Bundeswehr tarnt sich: Deutsche Soldaten bekommen neue Uniform|language=de|website=Wiwo.de|date=26 April 2016 |access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208194538/http://www.wiwo.de/technologie/umwelt/die-bundeswehr-tarnt-sich-deutsche-soldaten-bekommen-neue-uniform/13502228.html|archive-date=8 February 2017|url-status=live }}</ref>

A different, traditional variety of the service uniform is worn by the ''[[Gebirgsjäger]]'' (mountain infantry), consisting of ski jacket, stretch trousers, and ski boots. Instead of the beret, they wear the grey "mountain cap". The field uniform is the same, except for the (optional) metal ''[[Edelweiss]]'' worn on the forage cap.

[[File:040610-N-1823S-348 G36andpracticenade.jpg|thumb|A German infantryman stands at the ready with his [[Heckler & Koch G36]] during a practice exercise in 2004 as U.S. troops watch in the background. All rifles in the photo are equipped with [[Blank (cartridge)|blank]] firing adapters.]]

The traditional arm-of-service colours appear as lapel facings and as piping on shoulder straps.<ref name="loc" /> Generals wear an inner piping of gold braid; other officers wear silver piping.<ref name="loc" /> Lapel facings and piping are maroon for general staff, green for infantry, red for artillery, pink for armour, black for engineers, yellow for communications, dark yellow for reconnaissance and various other colors for the remaining branches.<ref name="loc" /> Combat troops wear green (infantry), black (armour), or [[maroon beret|maroon]] (airborne) berets.<ref name="loc" /> Logistics troops{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} and combat support troops, such as artillery or engineers, wear red berets.<ref name="loc" /> A gold or silver badge on the beret denotes the individual branch of service.<ref name="loc" />

The naval forces wear the traditional navy blue, double-breasted coat and trousers; enlisted personnel wear either a white shirt or a navy blue shirt with the traditional navy collar.<ref name="loc" /> White uniforms provide an alternative for summer.<ref name="loc" /> The officer's dress cap is mounted with a gold anchor surrounded by a wreath.<ref name="loc" /> The visor of the admiral's cap bears a double row of oak leaves.<ref name="loc" /> [[U-boat]] captains wear the traditional white hat.

The air force service uniform consists of a blue jacket and trousers with a light blue shirt, dark blue tie, and black shoes.<ref name="loc" /> Olive battle dress similar to the army fatigue uniform is worn in basic training and during other field duty.<ref name="loc" /> Flying personnel wear [[Aviator badge#After 1955|wings]] on their right breast.<ref name="loc" /> Other air force personnel wear a modified wing device with a symbol in its centre denoting service specialisation.<ref name="loc" /> These ''Tätigkeitsabzeichen'' come in bronze, silver, or gold, depending on one's length of service in the specialty.<ref name="loc" /> Wings, superimposed over a wreath, in gold, silver, or bronze, depending on rank, are also worn on the service or field cap.<ref name="loc" />

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Trageweise (Heer + Luftwaffe).svg|Service uniform of the German Army (''Heer'')
File:Trageweise (Heer + Luftwaffe) (Luftwaffenfarben).svg|Service uniform of the German Air Force (''Luftwaffe'')
</gallery>

=== Ranks ===
{{main|Command and obedience in the Bundeswehr}}

In general, officer ranks are those used in the Prussian and pre-1945 German armies.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} Officer rank insignia are worn on shoulder straps or shoulder boards.<ref name="loc" /> Army (''Heer'') and air force (''Luftwaffe'') junior officers' insignia are four pointed silver stars while field grade officers wear silver (black or white on camouflage uniforms) stars and an oak wreath around the lowest star.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} The stars and wreath are gold for general officers.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} In the case of naval (''Marine'') officers, rank is indicated by gold stripes on the lower sleeve of the blue service jacket and on shoulder boards of the white uniform.<ref name="loc" />

Soldier and NCO ranks are similar to those of the Prussian and pre-1945 German armies.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} In the army and air force, a ''[[Gefreiter]]'' corresponds to the NATO rank OR-2 and ''[[Obergefreiter]]'' as well as ''[[Hauptgefreiter]]'' to OR-3, while OR-4 stands for ''[[Stabsgefreiter]]'' and ''[[Oberstabsgefreiter]]''. An ''[[Unteroffizier]]'' is the lowest-ranking sergeant (OR-5), followed by ''Stabsunteroffizier'' (also OR-5), ''[[Feldwebel]]'' and ''[[Oberfeldwebel]]'' (OR-6), ''[[Hauptfeldwebel]]'' (OR-7/8), ''Stabsfeldwebel'' (OR-8) and ''Oberstabsfeldwebel'' (OR-9).{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} Ranks of army and air force enlisted personnel are designated by stripes, chevrons, and "sword knots" worn on rank slides.<ref name="loc" />

Naval enlisted rank designations are worn on the upper (OR 1–5) or lower (OR-6 and above) sleeve along with a symbol based on an anchor for the service specialization (rating).<ref name="loc" /> Army and air force officer candidates hold the separate ranks of ''[[Fahnenjunker]]'' (OR-5), ''[[Fähnrich]]'' (OR-6) and ''Oberfähnrich'' (OR-7/8), and wear the appropriate rank insignia plus a silver cord bound around it. Officers candidates in the navy ''Seekadett'' (sea cadet; equivalent to OR-5) and ''Fähnrich zur See'' (midshipman second class; OR-6) wear the rank insignia of the respective enlisted ranks but with a gold star instead of the rating symbol, while an ''Oberfähnrich zur See'' (midshipman first class; OR-7/8) wears an officer type thin rank stripe.

Medical personnel of all three services wear a version of the traditional caduceus (staff with entwined serpents) on their shoulder straps or sleeve.<ref name="loc" /> The officers' ranks have own designations differing from the line officers, the rank insignias however are basically the same.

=== Women ===

Women have served in the medical service since 1975. From 1993 they were also allowed to serve as enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers in the medical service and the [[Military music|army bands]]. In 2000, in a lawsuit brought up by [[Tanja Kreil]], the [[European Court of Justice]] issued a ruling allowing women to serve in more roles than previously allowed. Since 2001 they can serve in all functions of service without restriction, but they are not subject to conscription. There are presently around 23,066 women on active duty<ref name="bundeswehr" /> and a number of female reservists who take part in all duties including [[peacekeeping]] missions and other operations. In 1994, [[Verena von Weymarn]] became ''Generalarzt der Luftwaffe'' (Surgeon General of the Air Force), the first woman ever to reach the rank of general in the armed forces of Germany.

For women, lower physical performance requirements are required in the basic fitness test, which must be completed at the time of recruitment and later on annually.<ref>{{cite web| title=Zentralanweisung B1-224/0-2| url=http://www.reservisten.bundeswehr.de/resource/resource/MzEzNTM4MmUzMzMyMmUzMTM1MzMyZTM2MzEzMDMwMzAzMDMwMzAzMDY5NjM3MTM3Njk3YTY1NzgyMDIwMjAyMDIw/Ausbildung%20und%20erhalt%20IGF%20KLF%20Zentralanweisung%20B1_224_0_2.pdf| publisher=[[Bundesministerium der Verteidigung]]| access-date=5 September 2017| page=24| language=de| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304204151/http://www.reservisten.bundeswehr.de/resource/resource/MzEzNTM4MmUzMzMyMmUzMTM1MzMyZTM2MzEzMDMwMzAzMDMwMzAzMDY5NjM3MTM3Njk3YTY1NzgyMDIwMjAyMDIw/Ausbildung%20und%20erhalt%20IGF%20KLF%20Zentralanweisung%20B1_224_0_2.pdf| archive-date=4 March 2016| url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Rank structure ===
{{Main|Rank insignia of the German Bundeswehr}}

;Officers
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/Germany}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Germany}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OF/Germany}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
|}

;NCOs and enlisted
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Germany}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Germany}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Germany}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Blank}}
|}

== Recruitment ==
With the suspension of compulsory [[military]] service in 2011 and the reorientation of the Bundeswehr, the military district recruiting offices were dissolved effective 30 November 2012. Their tasks were taken over by the newly created career centers of the Bundeswehr.
The career centers of the Bundeswehr are the armed forces main way of presenting itself as a nationwide employer for both military and civilian careers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Karrierecenter der Bundeswehr |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organisation/personal/organisation-/bundesamt-fuer-das-personalmanagement-der-bundeswehr-/karrierecenter-der-bundeswehr- |website=Bundeswehr.de |language=de}}</ref>

In the structure of the Bundeswehr's personnel recruitment organization adopted in 2019, there are five large career centers in [[Hanover]], [[Mainz]], [[Düsseldorf]], [[Munich]] and [[Berlin]] with assessment centers. There are 16 smaller, regional career centers, of which only those in [[Wilhelmshaven]], [[Stuttgart]] and [[Erfurt]] have an assessment center. The 110 career counseling offices belonging to the career centers are combined with 86 location teams of the career development service to form 113 counseling offices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dip21.bundestag.de/dip21/btd/19/072/1907200.pdf#22|title=Deutscher Bundestag Drucksache 19/7200|date=29 January 2019|website=Dip21.bundestag.de|access-date=17 February 2022}}</ref>
The Bundeswehr offers numerous career paths:
* Voluntary military service (FWD) in Germany is an employment relationship for soldiers in a career of the lower rank Bundeswehr personnel. It lasts at least 7 and at most 23 months. Its legal status is similar to that of conscripts.<ref>{{cite web |title=§ 58b SG – Einzelnorm |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sg/__58b.html |website=Gesetze-im-internet.de}}</ref>
* A temporary soldier (abbreviated SaZ, colloquially called Zeitsoldat) is a soldier who voluntarily agrees to perform military service for a limited time. A SaZ can enter all three categories (enlisted, non-commissioned officers and officers). SaZ recruited as NCOs and officers undergo general military, career and specialty training. The regular commitment period is a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 25 years, but may not extend beyond the age of 62.<ref>{{cite web |title=§ 1 SG – Einzelnorm |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sg/__1.html |website=Gesetze-im-internet.de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=§ 40 SG – Einzelnorm |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sg/__40.html |website=Gesetze-im-internet.de}}</ref>
* Professional soldiers for life (''Berufssoldat'') are selected from the group of temporary soldiers. In contrast to temporary soldiers, professional soldiers don't have contractual commitment periods but serve until retirement. The age of retirement varies with rank. It is possible for a professional soldier to ask for early discharge or to revert to temporal service.
* Career in the Reserve: There are multiple career paths in the reserve of the armed forces for officers, NCOs, and enlisted personnel, as well as for civilians who have no prior military training.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/slv_2002/__43.html |title=Beförderung, Zulassung zu einer Laufbahn der Reserve und Berufung in das Dienstverhältnis einer Berufssoldatin oder eines Berufssoldaten |website=www.gesetze-im-internet.de |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112182103/http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/slv_2002/__43.html |archive-date=12 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Awards ==
{{main|Awards and decorations of the German Armed Forces}}
* [[Badge of Honour of the Bundeswehr|Badge of Honour of the ''Bundeswehr'']]
* [[Combat Action Medal of the Bundeswehr|Combat Action Medal of the ''Bundeswehr'']]
* [[German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship]]
* [[German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency]]
* [[German Armed Forces Service Medal]]
* [[German Flood Service Medal (2002)]]
* [[German Flood Service Medal (2013)]]
* [[German Parachutist Badge]]

== See also ==
{{portal|Germany}}
* [[Erwin Rommel and the Bundeswehr|Controversy over Erwin Rommel as ''Bundeswehr''<nowiki/>'s role model]]
* [[Day X plot]], alleged conspiracy of ''Bundeswehr'' soldiers to murder left-leaning politicians
* [[Lists of military equipment of Germany]]
* [[Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany]]
* [[Reichswehr]]
* [[United Nations Training Center of the Bundeswehr|United Nations Training Center of the ''Bundeswehr'']]
* [[Wehrmacht]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==

=== In German leaguage: ===

* [[Sönke Neitzel|Neitzel, Sönke]] (2025): ''Die Bundeswehr. Von der Wiederbewaffnung bis zur Zeitenwende.'' [[C. H. Beck|C.H. Beck Wissen]] [[Special:BookSources/9783406830518|ISBN 978-3-406-83051-8]]

=== In English leaguage ===

* James S. Corum (editor) (2011): ''Rearming Germany. History of Warfare. Vol. 64.'' Leiden, Boston, ISBN 978-90-04-20317-4

* {{Cite book
  |last=Searle
  |first=Alaric
  |year=2003
  |title=Wehrmacht Generals, West German Society, and the Debate on Rearmament, 1949–1959
  |location=Westport, CT
  |publisher=[[Praeger Publishers]]
  |isbn=978-0-275-97968-3
}}
* Seppo, Antti (2021). ''From Guilt to Responsibility and Beyond: The Evolution of German Strategic Culture after the End of the Cold War''. Berlin: Berliner Wissenschafts-Verlag. {{ISBN|978-3-8305-5067-9}}. 
* Stengel, Frank A. (2020). ''The Politics of Military Force: Antimilitarism, Ideational Change, and Post-Cold War German Security Discourse''. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. {{ISBN|978-0-472-13221-8}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* ''[https://www.bundeswehr.de/en/ Bundeswehr]'' official site
* [http://www.bmvg.de/portal/poc/bmvg?uri=ci%3Abw.bmvg&lg=en Federal Ministry of Defence] official site (in German, English and French)
* [http://www.bwb.org/ ''Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung''] official site (in German)
* [http://www.it-amtbw.de/ ''Bundesamt für Informationsmanagement und Informationstechnik der Bundeswehr''] official site (in German)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060127005113/http://www.terrwv.bundeswehr.de/ ''Territoriale Wehrverwaltung''] official site (in German)
* [http://www.y-magazin.de/ Y – Magazine of the Federal Defence Forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809080040/http://y-magazin.de/ |date=9 August 2018 }} (in German)
* [http://www.if-zeitschrift.de/ ''Zeitschrift für Innere Führung''] (in German)
* [https://archive.today/20130106080254/http://www.readersipo.de/ ''Reader Sicherheitspolitik''] (in German)

{{Military of Germany}}
{{Germany topics}}
{{Military of Europe}}
{{North Atlantic Treaty Organization}}
{{Militaries of European Union member states}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Bundeswehr| ]]
[[Category:Military history of Germany]]
[[Category:Permanent Structured Cooperation]]