The artillery force is the carrier of indirect fire, as well as the most important partthe armed forces' joint tactical fire support (STF) in the army. In addition to contributing to reconnaissance with its modern weapon systems, it can operate through long-range indirect fire almost in real time, at a distance and precisely, in any weather and any time of day. It provides direct fire support for its own troops in combat as well as fighting with fire against enemy accumulations of forces, artillery, air defense forces and in deep space.
There are four mixed artillery battalions at division level and one in the Franco-German Brigade. Each battalion includes an observation, rocket (with eight launcher groups) and two to three tank artillery batteries, each with eight self-propelled howitzers 2000. Another tank or rocket artillery battery has now been set up. Nevertheless, the artillery is currently still too weak to ensure all tasks for high-intensity battles.
Current status and plans
With the Bundeswehr's capabilities aligned to the requirements of national and alliance defense, the Army will be redesigned in three steps by 2032 with the “Plan Army 4.0” in order to then have three fully equipped divisions and eight to ten brigades available. The entry will take place with the deployment of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in 2023 with the modernly equipped Panzergrenadier Brigade 37. In intermediate step 2, a division with three mechanized brigades should then be fully capable and equipped in 2027. The division is also expected to reach the first milestone in the digitalization of land-based operations (D-LBO) in 2027. With each step, the resources required for indirect fire and thus the steep fire systems should also be adjusted.
Simply sign up for a monthly subscription to immediately benefit from all ESUT Digital advantages.For a monthly subscription
Digital monthly subscription
for €6.00 / month
Digital half-yearly subscription
for 30 € / 6 months
Digital annual subscription
for 60 € / 12 months
Enjoy the premium content and other benefits ofESUT Digital:
- Access to all online content
- Comprehensive search in the news archive
- Customizable news area
- Background information, analyzes and technical articles completely and exclusively from European Security and Technology and the Defense Technology Reports
- Daily news from the categories Industry / Internal Security / International / Land / Air / Politics / Armaments / Sea / Armed Forces and much more.
Related topics
Lieutenant General Alfons Mais is the new inspector of the army Armed Forces Joint Tactical Fire Support for Division 2027 The army's means of action Capabilities of airmobile forces of the army The army's combat troops The Army 4.0 on the way to the year 2032 New material for the airborne troops Modern reconnaissance for the land forces Cooperation between the German and Dutch land forces