View source for Luxembourg Armed Forces

{{Short description|National military force of Luxembourg}}

{{infobox national military
|country            = Luxembourg
|name               = Luxembourg Armed Forces
|native_name        = {{Lang|lb|Lëtzebuerger Arméi}}<br />{{lang|fr|Armée luxembourgeoise}}
|image              = [[File:Arméi oofzeechen.svg|170px]]
|caption            = Luxembourg Armed Forces emblem
|image2             =
|caption2           = 
|founded            = 16 February 1881<br />({{age in years and days|1881|2|16}})
|current_form       = 29 June 1967<br />({{age in years and days|1967|6|29}})
|disbanded          =
|branches           =
|headquarters       = Military Centre "Caserne Grand-Duc Jean", [[Diekirch]]
|flying_hours       =
<!-- Leadership -->
|commander-in-chief =[[Guillaume V, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Guillaume V]]
|commander-in-chief_title=[[Monarchy of Luxembourg|Grand Duke]]
|minister           =[[Yuriko Backes]]
|minister_title     ={{nowrap|[[Minister for Defence of Luxembourg|Minister for Defence]]}}
|commander          =General [[Steve Thull]]<ref>{{cite web |title=General Steve Thull Takes over as Luxembourg Chief of Defence |url=https://chronicle.lu/category/at-home/34101-steve-thull-takes-over-as-luxembourg-chief-of-defence |date=29 September 2020 |website=Chronicle.lu |access-date=7 October 2020}}</ref>
|commander_title    ={{nowrap|[[Chief of Defence (Luxembourg)|Chief of Defence]]}}
<!-- Manpower -->
|age                =18-26
|conscription       =
|active             =1,200 (2026)<ref name="nmbrsldr"/>
|ranked             =
|reserve            =
|deployed           =
<!-- Financial -->
|amount             = 1.254 billion [[Euro]] (2025)<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2025) |trans-title=NATO |url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2025/8/pdf/250827-def-exp-2025-en.pdf |date=28 August 2025 |access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref>
|percent_GDP        = 2.00% (2025)<ref name=":0" />
<!-- Industrial -->
|domestic_suppliers =
|foreign_suppliers  =
|imports            =
|exports            =
<!-- Related articles -->
|history            =[[Military history of Luxembourg]]
|ranks              =[[Military ranks of Luxembourg]]
}}

The '''Luxembourg Armed Forces''' ({{Langx|lb|Lëtzebuerger Arméi}}; {{langx|fr|Armée luxembourgeoise}}) are the national military force of [[Luxembourg]]. The army has been a fully [[volunteer military]] since 1967. As of 2024, it has 1,197 personnel.<ref name="nmbrsldr">{{cite web |title=Strength of the Luxembourgish Army 1990–2024 |url=https://lustat.statec.lu/vis?pg=0&tm=arm%C3%A9e&df[ds]=ds-release&df[id]=DF_C5202&df[ag]=LU1&df[vs]=1.0&pd=1990%2C&dq=.A&to[TIME_PERIOD]=false |date=6 September 2025 |access-date=20 September 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828050612/https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2025/8/pdf/250827-def-exp-2025-en.pdf |archive-date=2025-08-28 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The army is under [[civilian control of the military|civilian control]], with the [[Grand Duke of Luxembourg|grand duke]] as [[commander-in-chief]]. The [[Minister for Defence of Luxembourg|minister for defence]], currently [[Yuriko Backes]], oversees army operations. The professional head of the army is the [[Chief of Defence (Luxembourg)|Chief of Defence]], who answers to the minister and holds the rank of [[General officer|general]]. Current office holder is general [[Steve Thull]].

Luxembourg has provided military personnel for [[United Nations|UN]], [[NATO]] and [[European Union|EU]] [[peacekeeping]] missions since 1992. It has been a member of [[Eurocorps]] since 1994.

== History ==
{{Main|Military history of Luxembourg}}

=== Militia (1817–1841) ===
On 8 January 1817, [[William I of the Netherlands|William I]], [[Grand Duke of Luxembourg]], published a constitutional law governing the organization of a militia, the main provisions of which were to remain in force until the militia was abolished in 1881. The law fixed the militia's strength at 3,000 men. Until 1840, Luxembourg's militiamen served in units of the [[Royal Netherlands Army]]. Enlisted men served for five years: the first year consisted of active service, but during each of the subsequent four years of service they were mobilised only three times per year.<ref name="LuArmyMilitia">{{cite web |title=La Milice (1817-1841) |trans-title=The Militia (1817-1841) |url=http://www.armee.lu/historique/la-milice-1817-1841 |date=2017 |website=Lëtzebuerger Arméi |publisher=Armée luxembourgeoise |language=fr |access-date=10 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105232952/http://www.armee.lu/historique/la-milice-1817-1841 |archive-date=5 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Federal Contingent (1841–1867) ===
In 1839, William I became a party to the [[Treaty of London (1839)|Treaty of London]] by which the Grand-Duchy lost its western, francophone territories to the [[Luxembourg (Belgium)|Belgian province of Luxembourg]]. Due to the country's population having been halved, with the loss of 160,000 inhabitants, the militia lost half its strength. Under the terms of the treaty, Luxembourg and the newly formed [[Duchy of Limburg]], both members of the [[German Confederation]], were together required to provide a federal contingent consisting of a light infantry battalion garrisoned in [[Echternach]], a cavalry squadron in [[Diekirch]], and an artillery detachment in [[Ettelbruck]]. In 1846, the cavalry and artillery units were disbanded and the Luxembourg contingent was separated from that of Limburg. The Luxembourg contingent now consisted of two light infantry battalions, one in Echternach and the second in Diekirch; two reserve companies; and a depot company.<ref name="LuArmyContingent">{{cite web |title=Le Contingent Fédéral (1841-1867) |trans-title=The Federal Contingent (1841-1867) |url=http://www.armee.lu/historique/le-contingent-federal-1841-1867 |date=2017 |website=Lëtzebuerger Arméi |publisher=Armée luxembourgeoise |language=fr |access-date=10 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105232959/http://www.armee.lu/historique/le-contingent-federal-1841-1867 |archive-date=5 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1866, the [[Austro-Prussian War]] resulted in the dissolution of the German Confederation. Luxembourg was declared neutral in perpetuity by the [[Treaty of London (1867)|1867 Treaty of London]], and in accordance, its fortress was demolished in the following years. In 1867, the Prussian garrison left the fortress, and the two battalions of Luxembourg light infantry entered the city of Luxembourg that September.<ref name="LuArmyContingent" />

A new military organization was established in 1867, consisting of two battalions, known as the {{lang|fr|Corps des Chasseurs Luxembourgeois}}, having a total strength of 1,568 officers and men. In 1868, the contingent came to consist of one light infantry battalion of four companies, with a strength of 500 men. On 16 February 1881, the light infantry battalion was disbanded with the abolition of the militia-based system.<ref name="LuArmyChasseurs">{{cite web |title=Le Corps de Chasseurs Luxembourgeois (1867-1881) |trans-title=The Light Infantry of Luxembourg (1867-1881) |url=http://www.armee.lu/historique/le-corps-de-chasseurs-luxembourgeois-1867-1881 |date=2017 |website=Lëtzebuerger Arméi |publisher=Armée luxembourgeoise |language=fr |access-date=10 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105233004/http://www.armee.lu/historique/le-corps-de-chasseurs-luxembourgeois-1867-1881 |archive-date=5 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Gendarmes and Volunteers Corps ===
[[File:LuxKorps1910.jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the {{lang|fr|Corps des Gendarmes et Volontaires}} pose for a photograph, 1910]]
On 16 February 1881, the {{lang|fr|Corps des Gendarmes et Volontaires}} (Corps of Gendarmes and Volunteers) was established. It was composed of two companies, a [[Grand Ducal Gendarmerie (Luxembourg)|company of gendarmes]] and one of volunteers. In 1939, a corps of auxiliary volunteers was established and attached to the company of volunteers. Following the occupation of Luxembourg by Germany in May 1940, recruitment for the company of volunteers continued until 4 December 1940, when they were moved to [[Weimar]], Germany, to be trained as German police.<ref name="LuArmyGendarmes">{{cite web |title=Le Corps des Gendarmes et Volontaires (1881-1944) |trans-title=The Corps of Gendarmes and Volunteers (1881-1944) |url=http://www.armee.lu/historique/le-corps-des-gendarmes-et-volontaires-1881-1944 |date=2017 |website=Lëtzebuerger Arméi |publisher=Armée luxembourgeoise |language=fr |access-date=11 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105233008/http://www.armee.lu/historique/le-corps-des-gendarmes-et-volontaires-1881-1944 |archive-date=5 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Gérald Arboit. The Gendarmerie of Luxembourg. Jonas Campion; Laurent López; Guillaume Payen. European Police Forces and Law Enforcement in the First World War, Springer International Pub- lishing, pp.141 - 155, 2019, 9783030261016. 10.1007/978-3-030-26102-3_10 . hal-04090652></ref>

In November 1918 Luxembourg faced [[Luxembourg rebellions|two small communist rebellions]] in [[Luxembourg City]] and [[Esch-sur-Alzette]]. Both were quickly suppressed by police.<ref name="today.rtl.lu">{{Cite web |title=Luxembourg's history : Mutiny in the Grand Duchy |url=https://today.rtl.lu/luxembourg-insider/history/a/1690130.html |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=today.rtl.lu}}</ref> In December 1918 a group of soldiers attempted a mutiny in the Luxembourg City barracks.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Muller |title=Tatsachen aus der Geschichte des Luxenburger Landes |year=1968}}</ref>

On 9 January 1919, a group of socialist and liberal deputies, tabled a motion to make Luxembourg a republic. A crowd gathered at the barracks of the [[Corps of Volunteers]], close to the Chamber. Then [[Émile Servais]], a left-wing politician, walked out the Chamber, addressed the crowd and demanded a republic. The crowd then rushed the Chamber and the deputies called in the Corps of Volunteers but the soldiers refused the orders to disperse the crowd. Part of the deputies then fled the Chamber. The remaining deputies, mainly left-wing, formed the [[Committee of Public Safety (Luxembourg)|Committee of Public Safety]] with Servais as its leader. The committee had no public support and the [[French Army]] under the command of General de La Tour soon quelled the turmoil.<ref name="today.rtl.lu"/>

=== Luxembourg Battery ===
{{see also|Luxembourg in World War II|German invasion of Luxembourg}}

[[File:Luxembourg Troops Fight With United Nations- Training With the Belgian Army in England, UK, 1943 D16778.jpg|thumb|right|Luxembourg troops training in an English seaside town in 1943]]

In 1944 during World War II, the Luxembourg Government, while exiled in London, made agreements for a group of seventy Luxembourg volunteers to be assigned to the Artillery Group of the [[1st Belgian Infantry Brigade]], commonly known as Brigade Piron, [[Jean-Baptiste Piron]] being the chief of this unit. This contingent was named the Luxembourg Battery. Initially, it was built up and trained by two Belgian officers. Later, from August 1944, these were joined by Luxembourg officers, who had received training in Britain.<ref name="LuArmyPiron">{{cite web |title=Les luxembourgeois de la "Brigade PIRON" |trans-title=The Luxembourgers of the "PIRON Brigade" |url=http://www.armee.lu/historique/les-luxembourgeois-de-la-brigade-piron |date=2017 |website=Lëtzebuerger Arméi |publisher=Armée luxembourgeoise |language=fr |access-date=11 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105233013/http://www.armee.lu/historique/les-luxembourgeois-de-la-brigade-piron |archive-date=5 January 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Several Luxembourg NCOs and half of the country's troops had fought in North Africa in the [[French Foreign Legion]]. The rest were people who had escaped from Luxembourg, and young men evading forcible conscription into the Wehrmacht by fleeing to Britain. The Luxembourg unit landed in Normandy on 6 August 1944—at approximately the same time as the Dutch Princess Irene Brigade and the French [[2nd Armoured Division (France)|2nd Armoured Division]] ("2e 
Division blindée") commanded by General [[Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque|Leclerc]]—two months after the D-Day landings.<ref name="LuArmyPiron" />

The Luxembourg Battery was equipped with four [[Ordnance QF 25 pounder]] howitzers, which were named after the four daughters of Grand Duchess Charlotte: [[Princess Elisabeth, Dowager Duchess of Hohenberg|Princesses Elisabeth]], [[Princess Marie Adelaide of Luxembourg|Marie Adelaide]], [[Princess Marie Gabriele of Luxembourg|Marie Gabriele]] and [[Alix, Dowager Princess of Ligne|Alix]].<ref name="LuArmyPiron" />

=== Post-liberation ===
Conscription was introduced in Luxembourg for the first time in November 1944.<ref name=NATO1>{{cite web |title=Le Luxembourg et l'OTAN |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_162355.htm |website=NATO Declassified |publisher=[[NATO]] |access-date=20 September 2022}}</ref> In 1945, the {{lang|fr|[[Corps de la Garde Grand Ducale]]}} (Grand Ducal Guard Corps) garrisoned in the Saint-Esprit barracks in [[Luxembourg City]] and the 1st and 2nd infantry battalions were established, one in [[Walferdange]] and the other in [[Dudelange]]. The Luxembourg Armed Forces took charge of part of the [[French occupation zone in Germany]], the 2nd Battalion occupying part of the [[Bitburg]] district and a detachment from the 1st Battalion part of the [[Saarburg]] district. The 2nd Battalion remained in Bitburg until 1955.<ref name="debut19441954"/> The strength of the army rose to 2,150 men.<ref name=NATO1/> Luxembourg signed the [[Treaty of Brussels]] in March 1948, and the [[North Atlantic Treaty]] in 1949.<ref name="debut19441954">{{cite web |url=https://www.armee.lu/historique/l-armee-luxembourgeoise-apres-la-liberation-1944-1967/les-debuts-de-1944-1954 |title=Les débuts de 1944-1954 |language=fr |publisher=Lëtzebuerger Arméi |access-date=17 March 2020}}</ref>

Setting up an army after the war proved more difficult than predicted.<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |title=Histoire du Luxembourg |language=fr |trans-title=History of Luxembourg |last=Trausch |first=Gilbert |publisher=Hatier |year=1992 |isbn=2-218-03855-2 |pages=186}}</ref> To a certain extent, the authorities could rely on escaped German conscripts and Luxembourgers who had joined Allied armies;<ref name=":5" /> however, they had to find a way to train officers. Initially, British military advisers came to Luxembourg, where training was carried out by British officers and NCOs.<ref name=":5" /> But officer training, in the long term, would have to be done in military schools abroad. Belgium and France were both interested in helping and offered solutions.<ref name=":5" /> In the end, the government opted for a compromise solution, by sending some officer cadets to the {{lang|fr|[[École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr]]}} in France and others to the [[Royal Military Academy (Belgium)|Royal Military Academy]] in Belgium. This eventually led to disunity within the Luxembourg officer corps due to differences in training and promotion.<ref name=":5" />

In 1951, the Grand Ducal Guard relocated to [[Walferdange]] and integrated with the {{lang|fr|Commandement des Troupes}}. The Guard had special units for reconnaissance, radiac reconnaissance, and anti-air warfare. From 1955, it was organised into a headquarters company, a garrison platoon, a reconnaissance company and two training companies. In 1959, the {{lang|fr|Commandement des Troupes}} was disbanded and the Grand Ducal Guard was integrated into the {{lang|fr|Commandement du Territoire}} (Territorial Command). The force was reduced to a single company, a corporals' training school, and a weapons platoon. In 1960, the Grand Ducal Guard was again reorganised into four platoons, temporarily grouped into intervention and reinforcement detachments. In 1964, the Grand Ducal Guard was organized into a HQ, three platoons, a reinforcement platoon, and the NCO school.{{citation needed|reason= information should come from a credible source|date= March 2017}} On 28 February 1966, the Grand Ducal Guard was officially disbanded.

=== Korean War ===
[[File:Luxembourg soldier Korea 1953.jpeg|thumb|right|A Luxembourgish soldier in Korea, 1953]]
{{main|Belgian United Nations Command}}

In 1950, seventeen countries, including Luxembourg, decided to send armed forces to assist the [[Republic of Korea]]. The Luxembourg contingent was incorporated into the [[Belgian United Nations Command]] or the Korean Volunteer Corps. The Belgo-Luxembourgish battalion arrived in Korea in 1951, and was attached to the US [[3rd Infantry Division (United States)|3rd Infantry Division]]. Two Luxembourger soldiers were killed and 17 were wounded in the war. The Belgo-Luxembourg battalion was disbanded in 1955.

=== Groupement Tactique Régimentaire and Home Command ===
In 1954, the {{lang|fr|Groupement Tactique Régimentaire}} (GTR) (Regimental Tactical Group) was established as Luxembourg's contribution to NATO. It consisted of three infantry battalions, an artillery battalion, and support, medical, transport, signals, engineering, heavy mortar, reconnaissance, and headquarters companies. By 1954, its overall strength had risen to 5,200 men. The GTR was disbanded in 1959.<ref name="hi195459">{{cite web |url=https://www.armee.lu/historique/l-armee-luxembourgeoise-apres-la-liberation-1944-1967/la-mise-sur-pied-du-gtr-1954-1959 |title=La mise sur pied du GTR (1954-1959) |language=fr |trans-title= |publisher=Lëtzebuerger Arméi |access-date=17 March 2020}}</ref><ref name=NATO1/>

In addition to the GTR, the Army also included the Territorial Command, composed of headquarters, military police, movement and transportation companies, a static guard battalion, and a mobile battalion.<ref name="hi195459"/> By 1954, it numbered some 2,500 men.<ref name=NATO1/> At the same date, some 2.45 percent of the country's population was serving in the military.<ref name=NATO1/>

=== 1st Artillery Battalion ===
In 1961, the 1st Artillery Battalion was placed at NATO's disposal. The battalion was organised into three batteries, each with six {{convert|105|mm}} field howitzers (British [[25 pounder]] guns converted to 105&nbsp;mm caliber) from the former GTR artillery battalion, an HQ battery, and a service battery. In 1963, the battalion was attached to the US [[8th Infantry Division (United States)|8th Infantry Division]]. In 1966, the Grand Ducal Guard was disbanded and its tasks were transferred to and performed by the 1st Artillery Battalion until it too was disbanded, in 1967.<ref name="infartbtln">{{cite web |url=https://www.armee.lu/historique/l-armee-luxembourgeoise-apres-la-liberation-1944-1967/le-bataillon-d-artillerie-et-les-forces-territoriales-1959-1967 |title=Le Bataillon d'Artillerie et les Forces Territoriales (1959-1967) |language=fr |trans-title= |publisher=Lëtzebuerger Arméi |access-date=17 March 2020}}</ref>

=== 1st Infantry Battalion ===
Compulsory military service was abolished in 1967 by which time some 34,700 men had served at some point in the Luxembourg Army.<ref name=NATO1/> As part of a major reorganisation of the military, the 1st Infantry Battalion was established, consisting of a headquarters and services unit, two motorized infantry companies, and a reconnaissance company with two reconnaissance (recce) platoons and an anti-tank platoon.<ref name="infartbtln"/> From 1968 onwards, it formed a part of NATO's [[ACE Mobile Force (Land)]] (AMF(L)). In 1985, a reinforced company—consisting of an AMF Company with two recce platoons and an anti-tank platoon, a forward air-control team, a national support element for logistics, and a medical support element—replaced the battalion. In 2002 the AMF(L) was dissolved.

=== Recent international operations ===
Luxembourg started financially supporting international [[peacekeeping]] missions in 1991, citing the [[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]], [[Rwanda]] and in [[Albania]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ECMM: Mission des observateurs de l'Union Européenne en ex-Yougoslavie |trans-title=European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM): Mission of European Union observers in ex-Yugoslavia |url=https://www.armee.lu/historique/l-armee-de-nos-jours/la-contribution-a-l-union-europeenne/ecmm |access-date=15 September 2019 |website=Armée luxembourgeoise |language=fr}}</ref> Luxembourg has been deploying military personnel for peacekeeping missions since 1992.

Luxembourg has contributed troops to the [[United Nations Protection Force|UNPROFOR]] from April 1992 to August 1993, deploying in total 40 military personnel in a Belgian battalion. In 1996 Luxembourg contributed to [[IFOR]] missions in former [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] in a multinational transport company. This was followed by a small contingent in the [[NATO]] [[SFOR]] mission in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], completing 9 personnel rotations. The Luxembourg Armed Forces were integrated into the [[Multinational Beluga Force]] under [[Belgium|Belgian]] command.

Luxembourg has contributed over 18 years in NATO [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]], totalling 1200 military personnel. Luxembourg deployed a reconnaissance platoon first from 2000 to 2006 under Belgian command and from 2007 to 2011 under a [[France|French]] detachment. From 2011 to 2017 Luxembourg was subordinated to the headquarters in [[Pristina]], collaborating with an Austrian reconnaissance company.

Together with Belgium, Luxembourg contributed military personnel to [[UNIFIL]] in Lebanon from 2006 to 2014.

Over 35 rotations, Luxembourg troops have been deployed to [[Afghanistan]] from 2003 to 2014  to support [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] in [[Kabul]] and [[Kandahar]]. The army has also participated in humanitarian relief missions such as setting up refugee camps for [[Kurdish people|Kurds]] and providing emergency supplies to Albania.<ref>{{cite book |title=Department of State Publication: Background notes series - Luxemburg |date=1 January 1995 |publisher=U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of Public Communication, Editorial Division |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pj4gppmA364C |page=8}}</ref> Furthermore, Luxembourg participated in the [[Resolute Support Mission|RSM]] in Mazar-i-Sharif from 2015 to 2021 and provided evacuation support during the August 2021 Taliban offensive in Kabul.

The Luxembourg Armed Forces have also been active in Africa, supporting the EU Security Reform Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EUSEC RDC), the EU Military Operation in Eastern Chad and North Eastern Central African Republic ([[EUFOR]] Chad/CAR), following with the [[MINURCAT]]. From 2013 to 2022 Luxembourg provided support to [[European Union Training Mission in Mali|EUTM]] in Mali.

Luxembourg is also active in the NATO [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence|eFP]], contributing logistical and satellite transmission support in [[Lithuania]] since 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2022 |title=30 ans OMP - 30 ans d'engagement au service de la paix |trans-title= |url=https://gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/documents/actualites/2022/10-octobre/27-ceremonie-armee/dossier-presse30-ans-omp.pdf |access-date=23 December 2022 |website=gouvernement.lu/ |language=fr}}</ref>

== Luxembourg Armed Forces Organization ==
[[File:Soldats luxembourgeois.jpg|thumb|Luxembourg soldiers during National Day]]
The army is under [[civilian control of the military|civilian control]], with the [[Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Grand Duke]] as [[Commander-in-Chief]]. The [[Minister for Defence of Luxembourg|Minister for Defence]] oversees army operations. The professional head of the army is the [[Chief of Defence (Luxembourg)|Chief of Defence]], currently [[Steve Thull]], who answers to the minister. The Grand Duke and the Chief of Defence are the only [[General officer|generals]], with [[colonel]]s as Deputy Chief of Defence and head of the [[Military Training Centre]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.armee.lu/organisation/personnel/personnel-cle |title=Personnel clé |publisher=Lëtzebuerger Arméi |access-date=17 March 2020}}</ref>

Until 1999, the army was integrated into the {{lang|fr|Force Publique}} (Public Force), which included the Gendarmerie and the Police, until the [[Gendarmerie (Luxembourg)|Gendarmerie]] was merged with the [[Grand Ducal Police]] under a different minister in 2000. The army has been an all-volunteer force since 1967.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legilux.public.lu/leg/a/archives/1967/0433006/0433006.pdf#page=2 |title=Mémorial A, 1967, No. 43 |access-date=11 September 2006 |format=PDF |publisher=Service central de législation |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013210308/http://www.legilux.public.lu/leg/a/archives/1967/0433006/0433006.pdf#page=2 |archive-date=13 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It has a strength of around 900 professional soldiers and 200 civilians<ref>{{Cite web |title=Organisation de l'Armée |trans-title=Organisation of the Army |url=https://www.armee.lu/historique/l-armee-de-nos-jours/organisation-de-l-armee |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=armee.lu |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Résultats de recherche |trans-title= |url=https://legilux.public.lu/search?filters=%7B%22organisation%22:%5B%22http:%2F%2Fdata.legilux.public.lu%2Fresource%2Fauthority%2Flegal-subject%2F600%22%5D,%22searchIn%22:%22all%22,%22dateEntryInForce%22:%5B%7B%22from%22:%222018-01-01%22,%22to%22:%222022-11-01%22%7D%5D%7D&sort=%7B%22field%22:%22publicationDate%22,%22order%22:%22desc%22%7D&from=0&size=100 |access-date=2022-11-12 |website=Legilux}}</ref> with a total budget of approximately $389 million, or 0.57% of GDP in 2021.<ref name=":0" />

The Luxembourg Army is a battalion-sized formation with four separate {{lang|fr|compagnies}} ([[company (military unit)|companies]]) under the control of the {{lang|fr|Centre Militaire}} (Military Centre), located in the Caserne Grand-Duc Jean barracks on [[Herrenberg, Luxembourg|Herrenberg hill]] near the town of [[Diekirch]]. Luxembourg has no [[navy]], as the country is [[landlocked]]. It has an [[air force]] since 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Loi du 2 juin 2021 portant modification:... |trans-title=Law of 2 June 2021 amending [three previous laws on military organization and funding] |url=https://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/loi/2021/06/02/a416/jo |date=2 June 2021 |website=Official Journal of Luxembourg |access-date=24 May 2022}}</ref> and an aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.armedforces.co.uk/Europeandefence/edcountries/countryluxembourg.htm |title=Luxembourg Defence Information - Luxembourg Armed Forces - Luxembourg Army - European Defence Information |website=www.armedforces.co.uk |access-date=2016-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922224817/http://www.armedforces.co.uk/Europeandefence/edcountries/countryluxembourg.htm |archive-date=2016-09-22 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Compagnie A ===
[[File:2016 Nationalfeierdag Lëtzebuerg 05.jpg|thumb|Luxembourg army troops are seen using Humvee as their military vehicle, with .50 BMG Heavy Machine Gun]]
Compagnie A, the first of two rifle companies that forms the Luxembourg contingent of the [[Eurocorps]], is normally integrated into the Belgian contribution during operations. As such, it participates in Eurocorps' contribution to the [[NATO Response Force]] (entire company) and the EU Battlegroups (one platoon). The company consists of a command element and three reconnaissance platoons of four sections each, plus a command section. Each section is equipped with two armoured [[HMMWV|M1114 HMMWV]]s, each armed with a .50 caliber [[M2 Browning machine gun]]. The command section has a [[MAN SE|MAN X40]] truck in addition to its pair of HMMWVs.

=== Compagnie B ===
Compagnie B, currently known as the Reconversion Service, is the educational unit of the Army, providing various educational courses for personnel to take in preparation for advancement. On 19 May 2011, Company B was redesignated as the {{lang|fr|Service de Reconversion}} (Reconversion Service) with the mission to prepare volunteer soldiers for the return to civilian life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armee.lu/organisation/centre_militaire/CieB.php |title=Service de Reconversion |language=fr |trans-title= |website=Armee.lu |publisher=Armée luxembourgeoise |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714175108/http://www.armee.lu/organisation/centre_militaire/CieB.php |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> The service includes the {{lang|fr|L'Ecole de l'Armee}} (Army School). In order to attend this school a soldier must have at least eighteen months of service. The school is divided into two sections:
* Level B - is open to all soldiers at the end of their first eighteen months of service. Soldiers follow two six-month periods of tuition in both general and military-based subjects prior to taking examinations. Upon gaining 75% pass marks, they can proceed to the next level.
* Level A - is open to soldiers who have achieved the required passes at Level B, or who have attained the equivalent in civilian life prior to their enlistment. Soldiers do a single six-month period of tuition in the same subjects as Level B, but for a longer period each week.

=== Compagnie C ===
Compagnie C, better known as the {{lang|fr|Compagnie Commandement et Instruction}} (Staff & Instruction Company), is the main military training unit of the Luxembourg Armed Forces, with instruction given in:
* Basic soldiering
* Driving
* Physical training

This company is also responsible for the army's Elite Sports Section, reserved for sportsmen in the Army. Following their basic training, these soldiers join the {{lang|fr|Section de Sports d'Elite de l'Armée}} (SSEA).

=== Compagnie D ===
Compagnie D is the second rifle company – it provided Luxembourg's contribution to NATO's [[ACE Mobile Force (Land)]] (disbanded in 2002) as the Luxembourg Reconnaissance Company. Luxembourg's participation in various UN, EU, and NATO missions is drawn from Compagnie D, which mirrors Compagnie A in organisation, with a command element and three reconnaissance platoons.

== Equipment ==
{{main|List of equipment of the Luxembourg Army}}

== Aircraft of the Luxembourg Air Wing ==
 	
Luxembourg has a small air wing. All [[NATO AWACS]] planes are registered to the LAF and sport the Luxembourg Armed Forces roundel.
	
[[File:Airbus A400M LAF CT-01 on final to Mosnov during-NATO Days-2023.jpg|thumb|Airbus A400M Atlas CT-01 in service with Luxembourg]]

=== Luxembourg Air Wing ===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; font-size: 97%;"
! style="text-align: left"   | Aircraft
! style="text-align: left"   | Variant
! style="text-align: left"   | Origin
! style="text-align: left"   | Type
! style="text-align: left"   | In service
! style="text-align: left"   | Notes
|-
| [[Airbus A400M Atlas|Airbus A400M]]
|—
| <small>{{flag|Belgium}}</small>

<small>{{flag|France}}</small>

<small>{{flag|Germany}}</small>

<small>{{flag|Spain}}</small>

<small>{{flag|Turkey}}</small>

<small>{{flag|United Kingdom}}</small>
| [[Airlift|Strategic transport]] / [[Airlift|Tactical airlift]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''1 (Luxembourg)'''<br />8 (total bi-national unit)
| <ref name="World Air Forces 2026">{{cite report |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |year=2025 |title=World Air Forces 2026 |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=113841 |access-date=6 January 2026 |publisher=[[FlightGlobal]] }}</ref>

Bi-national military transport unit, with the first aircraft delivered to Luxembourg in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2020 |title=Belgian-Luxembourg unit to operate both Allies' A400M missions |url=https://ac.nato.int/archive/2020/BEL_LUX_BNU_A400M}}</ref>

7 A400M and 2 refuelling kits for the A400M are operated by the Belgian [[15th Air Transport Wing]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Airbus A400M |url=https://www.belgian-wings.be/airbus-a400m-atlas |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=Belgian Wings |language=nl}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=12 September 2018 |title=Page 7 - EDA Air-to-Air Refuelling Conference 12/09/2018 – Opening Remarks Minister of Defence Steven Vandeput |url=https://eda.europa.eu/docs/default-source/brochures/speech-belgian-defence-minister-steven-vandeput.pdf}}</ref>

The bi-national (Belgium and Luxembourg) unit operates 8 A400Ms in total. The final aircraft was delivered in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=OCCAR: final Airbus A400M transport {{sic|nolink=y|aicraft}} delivered to Belgium |url=https://defence-industry.eu/occar-final-airbus-a400m-transport-aicraft-delivered-to-belgium/ |access-date=31 October 2025 |date=February 21, 2024 |website=Defence Industry Europe}}</ref>
|-
| [[Eurocopter EC145|Airbus H145]]
| [[Eurocopter EC145#Variants|H145M]]
| <small>{{flag|Germany}}</small>
| [[Utility helicopter|Light utility helicopter]]
| style="text-align: center;" | '''1'''
|<ref name="LA">{{cite web |date=28 October 2021 |title=Airbus Helicopters delivers first H145M to Luxembourg {{!}} Airbus |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2019-11-airbus-helicopters-delivers-first-h145m-to-luxembourg |access-date=31 December 2024 |website=www.airbus.com}}</ref><ref name="LR">{{cite web |title=Luxembourg receives second H145M {{!}} Shephard |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-helicopter/luxembourg-receives-second-h145m/ |access-date=31 December 2024 |website=www.shephardmedia.com}}</ref>
2 H145M received in January 2020, 1 for the Police, and 1 for the Luxembourg Air Wing.
|}

=== Co-owned aircraft ===
<!-- Do not add Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, even though NATO has 3 of those in shared use (see <ref name="World Air Forces 2026">: aircraft listed under NATO). The C-17s belong to [[Strategic Airlift Capability]] or SAC (see wikipedia page) and are operated by the military unit [[Heavy Airlift Wing]] or HAW (see wikipedia page). CRUCIALLY LUXEMBOURG IS NOT A MEMBER STATE OF SAC (AND THUS NOT A MEMBER OF HAW) AND THUS THE C-17S ARE NOT LUXEMBOURGIAN PLANES IN ANY WAY (NOT EVEN AS SHARED PLANES AMONG NATO STATES).-->
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; font-size: 97%;"
! style="text-align: left" | Model
! style="text-align: left" | Variant
! style="text-align: left" | Operators
! style="text-align: left" | Image
! style="text-align: left" | Origin
! style="text-align: left" | Type
! style="text-align: left" | Quantity
! style="text-align: left" | Notes
|-
! colspan="8" | Tanker / Transport
|-
| [[Airbus A330 MRTT]]
<small>''Multi-Role Tanker Transport''</small>
| A330-200 MRTT
| {{ill|Multinational MRTT Fleet|lt=MMF|de|Multinational MRTT Unit}}
<small>''Multinational MRTT Fleet''</small>

* <small>{{flag|Belgium}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Czech Republic}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Denmark}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Germany}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Luxembourg}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Netherlands}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Norway}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Sweden}}</small>
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:A330-243MRTT_T-059_(cropped).jpg|150x150px]]
[[File:Refueling,_ILA_2024,_Schoenefeld_(ILA45423)_(cropped).jpg|150x150px]]
| <small>{{flag|France}}</small>
<small>{{flag|Germany}}</small>

<small>{{flag|Spain}}</small>

<small>{{flag|United Kingdom}}</small>
| [[Aerial refueling|Tanker]] / [[Transport aircraft]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 9 (+3 on order)<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/><!-- listed under NATO -->
| <ref name=":15">{{Cite web |date=7 March 2024 |title=Strategic airlift |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_50107.htm}}</ref>
Based at the [[Eindhoven Air Base]] in the Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Defensie |first=Ministerie van |date=2020-07-10 |title=Multi Role Tanker Transport Capability - International cooperation - Defensie.nl |url=https://english.defensie.nl/topics/international-cooperation/other-countries/multi-role-tanker-transport-capability |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=english.defensie.nl}}</ref>

* 2 ordered in July 2016 <small>(first members Netherlands and Luxembourg)</small><ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=14 February 2018 |title=Belgium joins Allied effort to deliver air-to-air refueling capacity |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_151878.htm?selectedLocale=en}}</ref>
* 5 ordered in September 2018 <small>(Germany and Norway joined the programme)</small><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 September 2017 |title=Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet expands significantly - Germany and Norway to join the MMF |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_147156.htm?selectedLocale=en}}</ref>
* 1 ordered in February 2018 <small>(Belgium joined the programme)</small><ref name=":16" />
* 1 ordered in September 2020 <small>(Luxembourg increases participation)</small><ref>{{Cite web |title=NATO Adds Ninth A330 Tanker/Transport {{!}} AIN |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2020-09-28/nato-adds-ninth-a330-tanker-transport |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=Aviation International News}}</ref>
* 1 ordered in March 2023 <small>(Belgium increases participation)</small><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-28 |title=NATO Support and Procurement Agency orders additional Airbus A330 MRTT {{!}} Airbus |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-03-nato-support-and-procurement-agency-orders-additional-airbus-a330 |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=www.airbus.com}}</ref>
* 2 ordered in June 2025 <small>(arrival of Sweden and Denmark in the programme)</small><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-23 |title=NATO orders two additional Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft and welcomes Sweden and Denmark to the Multinational Fleet {{!}} Airbus |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-06-nato-orders-two-additional-airbus-a330-mrtt-aircraft-and-welcomes |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=www.airbus.com}}</ref>

The first aircraft entered service in June 2020, the ninth in February 2025.
|-
! colspan="8" | Air surveillance
|-
| [[Boeing E-3 Sentry]]
| [[Boeing E-3 Sentry#Variants|E-3A]]
| rowspan=2 | NAEW&CF programme
<small>''NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force''</small>

* <small>{{flag|Belgium}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Canada}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Czech Republic}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Denmark}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Germany}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Greece}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Hungary}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Italy}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Luxembourg}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Netherlands}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Norway}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Poland}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Portugal}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Romania}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Turkey}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Spain}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|United States}}</small>
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:LX-N90443_Boeing_E-3A_Sentry_NATO_25years_colorscheme--Geilenkirchen_2007_P1010513_(50852828422).jpg|150x150px]]
| rowspan=2 | <small>{{flag|United States}}</small>
| rowspan =2 | [[Airborne early warning and control|AEW&C]]
<small>''Airborne early warning and control''</small>
| style="text-align: center;" | 14<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/><!-- listed under NATO -->
| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=30 July 2025 |title=AWACS: NATO's 'eyes in the sky' |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_48904.htm}}</ref>
Based at [[NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen]], Germany.

18 E-3 used initially, and to be replaced by the E-7 Wedgetail, of which 6 ordered in January 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-11 |title=E-7A Wedgetail – Successor to the NATO E-3 AWACS aircraft |url=https://esut.de/en/2024/01/fachbeitraege/46529/e-7a-wedgetail-nachfolger-des-nato-e-3-awacs-flugzeugs/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=esut.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tirpak |first=John |date=2023-11-17 |title=NATO Picks E-7 as Its New AWACS; Six Aircraft to Start |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/nato-e-7-new-awacs-six-aircraft/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine}}</ref>
|-
| [[Boeing E-7 Wedgetail]]
| E-7A
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:USAF_E-7A_(cropped).jpg|150x150px]]
| style="text-align: center;" | 0 (+6 on order)<ref name="World Air Forces 2026"/><!-- listed under NATO -->
|-
! colspan="8" | UAV
|-
| [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4 Global Hawk]]
| [[Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk#Variants|RQ-4D Phoenix]]
<small>(Block 40)</small>
| [[Alliance Ground Surveillance Squadron|AGS]]
<small>''Alliance Ground Surveillance''</small>

* <small>{{flag|Bulgaria}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Czechia}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Denmark}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Estonia}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Germany}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Italy}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Latvia}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Lithuania}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Luxembourg}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Norway}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Poland}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Romania}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Slovakia}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|Slovenia}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|United Kingdom}}</small>
* <small>{{flag|United States}}</small>
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:NATO's_first_Alliance_Ground_Surveillance_RQ-4D_aircraft_arrives_at_Edwards_AFB_(151219-F-HP195-051).jpg|150x150px]]
| <small>{{flag|United States}}</small>
| [[UAV]] [[High-altitude long-endurance|HALE]], [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|ISR]], [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|Combat]]
<small>''Unmanned aerial vehicle high altitude long endurance, intelligence surveillance reconnaissance''</small>
| style="text-align: center;" | 5
| <ref>{{Cite web |last=NATO |title=NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_48892.htm |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=NATO}}</ref>
|}

=== Retired aircraft ===
Previous aircraft operated were 3 [[Piper PA-18 Super Cub]]'s from 1952 to 1968.<ref>{{cite web |title=Info on retired Luxembourg Army Aviation aircraft (Piper Super Cubs) active during the 1950s and 1960s |date=11 January 2013 |url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/lux/army/lux-army-home.htm |access-date=11 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523225012/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/lux/army/lux-army-home.htm |archive-date=23 May 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Uniform ==
[[File:Luxembourg_Army_soldiers.jpg|thumb|Soldier in front of a Dingo ambulance vehicle in 2015]]
[[File:Luxembourg-5199 - Palace Guard (12727564073).jpg|thumb|A guard in front of the Grand Ducal Palace seen carrying AUG A1]]

Luxembourg military uniforms consist of dress, service (or garrison) and field uniforms, often worn with a [[black beret]]. Dress uniforms are worn mostly on formal occasions, while service uniforms are worn for daily duty. Luxembourg Armed Forces uniforms consist of service and field attire for summer and winter, as well as a dress uniform and mess jacket for officers. The winter service dress uniform, of olive drab wool, consists of a single-breasted coat having patch pockets with flaps, a khaki shirt and tie, and trousers that are usually cuffless.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-06 |title=Luxembourg's armed forces: army composition, recruitment and salaries |url=https://luxtoday.lu/en/knowledge/luxembourg-army |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Online media of Luxembourg}}</ref> The summer uniform is similar, but made of light tan material.

Combat uniforms use either a temperate or desert camouflage pattern resembling the Finnish M05 pattern. These patterns were adopted in 2010–11 to replace the [[U.S. Woodland]] pattern used since 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=Luxembourg |title=Luxembourg - Camopedia |access-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617042956/http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=Luxembourg |archive-date=17 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Grades ==

=== Officers ===
Those who have completed high school will enter a special thirteen-week basic training in the Army as warrant officers, then attend the military officer school for five years (normally in Brussels, Belgium), before becoming a lieutenant in the Luxembourg Armed Forces.

Aspiring officers are sent to the Belgian [[École Royale Militaire]] in Brussels, or the [[Ecole Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr]] in France. After the first two years at these schools, officer-cadets receive the title of lieutenant.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://www.armee.lu/recrutement_carriere/officier/engagement_formation_nomination.php |title=Officiers de carrière: Engagement – Formation – Nomination |language=fr |trans-title= |website=Armee.lu |publisher=Armée luxembourgeoise / Gouvernment du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714115052/http://www.armee.lu/recrutement_carriere/officier/engagement_formation_nomination.php |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref>

After leaving the military academy, officer candidates become probationary officers for a period of twenty-four months.<ref name=":2" /> The probation period consists of specialised military-branch training at a school abroad, and practical service within one of the Army's units. If they succeed during this probation, their appointment as lieutenants is made permanent.<ref name=":2" />

=== NCOs ===
Those who have completed five years of high school and have served four months as voluntary soldiers, will do a nine-month stage at the Infantry Training Department of the [[Belgian Army]] in [[Arlon]], before becoming sergeants in the Luxembourg Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.armee.lu/recrutement-carrieres/sous-officiers-de-carriere/conditions-d-admission |language=fr |access-date=17 March 2020 |title=Sous officiers de carriere - Conditions de recrutement |trans-title=}}</ref>

=== Career Corporals ===
Those who have not completed five years of high school may, after three years of service, become career corporals in the Luxembourg Armed Forces, if they pass physical and mental tests. They also have to pass a part of the NCO School in Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.armee.lu/recrutement-carrieres/caporaux-de-carriere/conditions-de-recrutement |language=fr |access-date=17 March 2020 |title=Caporaux de carriere - Conditions de recrutement |trans-title=}}</ref>

== Insignia ==

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

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

== Military industry ==

Luxembourg has a law permitting companies to only produce such material for the armed forces (domestic or foreign) that is not a lethal weapon. As lethal weapon production is banned, Luxembourg Armed Forces sources its weapons from abroad. Luxembourg does however have some production of military and dual-use equipment that are not lethal weapons; about 75 firms in Luxembourg produce (directly or indirectly) material that armed forces use. Such equipment is for example armored rescue vehicles (inter alia ambulances) and drones. Luxembourg has been growing its defense industry after [[Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)|Russian attack on Ukraine]] and discussion about modifying the lethal weapons ban have taken place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/2347824.html |title=Government moves in on national defence manufacturing |author=Jeannot Ries |date=21 October 2025 |access-date=21 October 2025 |website=RTL Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/the-luxembourg-companies-making-money-from-europe-s-arms-boom/50790602.html |title=The Luxembourg companies making money from Europe's arms boom |author=Marco Meng, translation Alex Stevensson |date=21 March 2025 |access-date=28 November 2025 |website=Luxembourg Times |publisher=the Luxemburger Wort }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://gouvernement.lu/dam-assets/documents/actualites/2024/06/19-backes-catalogue/lu-industry-research-capabilities-security-defence-2024.pdf |title=Luxembourg Industry and Research Capabilities for Security and Defence 2024 |date=June 2024 |access-date=28 November 2025 |website=gouvernement.lu |publisher=Luxinnovation and Directorate of Defence of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade of the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg }}</ref>

== Space ==

Luxembourg has a satellite in orbit, the [[GovSat-1]], which is used in military communications. Luxembourg has 4 dedicated government/military satellite communications ground stations. Luxembourg's satellite communications work in co-operation with NATO allies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://defence-industry.eu/luxembourg-acquires-two-satcom-ground-stations/ |title=Luxembourg acquires two SATCOM ground stations |date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=31 October 2025 |website=Defence Industry Europe}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://defence-industry.eu/luxembourg-and-spain-join-nato-satcom-programme-to-boost-secure-communications/ |title=Luxembourg and Spain join NATO SATCOM programme to boost secure communications |date=April 11, 2025 |access-date=31 October 2025 |website=Defence Industry Europe}}</ref>

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

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last1=Cerf |first1=P. |title=Le Luxembourg et son armée. Le service obligatoire à Luxembourg de 1945 à 1967 |language=fr |trans-title= |date=1984 |publisher=RTL Editions |location=Luxembourg}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Spang |first=Paul |date=1 July 1981 |title=La force armée luxembourgeoise de 1881 à 1940 |journal=Hémecht |language=fr |volume=33 |issue=3 |pages=295ff}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Streicher |first1=Félix |title=Une drôle de petite armée in der drôle de guerre: Die luxemburgische Force Armée zwischen September 1939 und Mai 1940 |trans-title=A funny little army in the Phoney War: the Luxembourg Armed Forces between September 1939 and May 1940 |url=https://www.hsozkult.de/journal/id/z6ann-111783 |date=2019 |journal=Hémecht: Journal of Luxembourg History |volume=71 |issue=3 |url-access=registration |pages=279–309 |language=fr}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Wittlin |first1=Thomas |title=L'armée luxembourgeoise (Partie 1) |language=fr |trans-title=Luxembourgish Army (Part 1) |journal=Revue militaire suisse |date=2004 |volume=149 |pages=31–4 |doi=10.5169/seals-346347 |url=https://www.e-periodica.ch/cntmng?pid=rms-001:2004:149::543}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Military of Luxembourg}}
* [http://www.armee.lu/ Luxembourgish Army official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100702110138/http://www.mnhm.lu/pageshtml/luxembourgarmy.php History of Luxembourg's Army]
* [http://www.ons-jongen-a-meedercher.lu/uploads/media/document/0001/91/8ba7886cd8ca2298c4db2505e2223b67c36f92e9.pdf Service roster of the Company of Gendarmes and Volunteers]

{{Luxembourg topics}}
{{Military of Europe}}
{{Military equipment of Europe}}
{{Militaries of European Union member states}}
{{North Atlantic Treaty Organization}}
{{Allied Land Command}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armed Forces}}
[[Category:1881 establishments in Luxembourg]]
[[Category:Government of Luxembourg]]
[[Category:Military of Luxembourg| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1881]]
[[Category:Permanent Structured Cooperation|Luxembourg]]