Germany’s armed forces will form their first regiment for unmanned systems. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced this on Thursday at the Bergen training area.
He said an independent unit for unmanned systems will be established in the course of 2027. The regiment is planned to have up to 600 service members, men and women. According to the inspector of the army, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, initial capability will be about 300 personnel, with a target strength of 600.
The regiment is to cover the full range of the army’s unmanned systems, from close range out to 500 kilometres. That means not only aircraft, but also unmanned ground platforms. The unit will include its own electronic warfare company. It will also receive loitering munitions — so-called kamikadze drones — which are now being tested, with deliveries to the force expected next year.
“Whoever wants to prevail on land must master the fight with unmanned systems,” Pistorius said. The task of the new unit, in his words, is to “bundle capabilities and pick up the pace.” Systems will be trialled directly with the troops, not only on industry test ranges.
According to reports, the regiment will become part of the divisional troops of the 10th Panzer Division. That division also includes Panzer Brigade 45, deployed in Lithuania to protect NATO’s eastern flank. If the model proves successful, it will be extended to other army divisions. Integration of drones into regular units will continue separately.
The announcement came during the minister’s visit to an army experimental series, where more than 40 weapons systems are being tested in tactical conditions with developers, including their compatibility with the Bundeswehr’s existing IT infrastructure.
