The FRG intends to create a division to protect important infrastructure facilities

The German Army will create a separate, already the fourth division to protect important facilities on the territory of the country. This was reported by the DPA news agency on January 11, citing a representative of the army command.

The rear defense division will include both active military and reservists, and they will all be subordinate to a single command. The new formation will be partially deployed and should be available to the Army by April 1.

The tasks of the new unit will include protection of important infrastructure facilities: railway stations, ports, logistics centers, pipelines and roads on which military convoys move. The military will also guard bridges and transportation hubs, and protect digital infrastructure. As the German military command explains, the measure is being taken because the country could play an important role for NATO in the future by becoming an operational site and an intermediate point for troop movements to the east.

Currently, the German Army has three divisions of about 20,000 men each. Among them are the 1st and 10th Armored Divisions, as well as the Rapid Reaction Force Division.

In November 2024, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted: next year the rearmament of the German army needs about €58 billion. He pointed out that at the moment his department is allocated €52 billion. Thus, to modernize the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany) in 2025 lacks another € 6 billion.

In addition, the minister emphasized, the Bundeswehr will need restructuring due to the changed security situation. Pistorius noted that the country needs to be on alert.

In the same month, Pistorius compared the performance of Russia's defense industrial complex (DIC) and European Union (EU) countries. He noted that Russia produces as many shells in three months as all EU countries do in a year.