Three years to go until the first German drone regiment

The Bundeswehr's new drone regiment could become fully operational by 2029, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, inspector general of the German army, announced. The unit would reach initial operational capability as early as 2027, with around 350 soldiers, with its strength later increased to 600. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the formation of the regiment on October 1 at the Bergen training ground in Lower Saxony. The independent unit, part of the 10th Armored Division, will combine reconnaissance, strike and enemy drone interception capabilities. Its equipment will include unmanned ground systems alongside aerial drones.

According to Freuding, the regiment would consist of five or six companies, each specializing in different tasks. In addition to engaging nearby targets, long-range strike, electronic warfare and counter-drone capabilities are planned, along with a separate testing and experimental company. Depending on available technology, the range of long-distance strikes could exceed 500 kilometers. According to a Bundeswehr statement, alongside the creation of the independent regiment, the integration of unmanned systems into conventional units will also continue. Around 2026–2027, three ground force units — the infantry, reconnaissance troops and armored units — will begin building up similar new capabilities. Pistorius emphasized that the experience of Ukrainian forces fighting against the Russian invasion would be drawn upon in the development process. In the Bergen experimental program, the new systems are being tested under conditions approximating battlefield circumstances, with soldiers involved, and the results will shape tactics, organizational structure and requirements for industry.

Ugar