German military is to reorganize its forces into a fresh division specializing in territorial defense, the army said on Saturday, integrating all existing reserve units directly under army command as of April 1, 2025. The four divisions will be made up of about 20,000 soldiers each without expanding the total personnel count to around 180,000.
This is a move in response to the growing fears of security threats, especially against the backdrop of the increasing tension with Russia. NATO is said to be on its highest alert since the Cold War. The German defense minister, Boris Pistorius, has warned of the possibility of a Russian attack within the next few years.
This restructuring looks to simplify command structures for territorial defense purposes, as acts of Russian sabotage against Germany’s critical infrastructure have been more frequent lately. Russia has denied the allegations, but it will also address how the new division will be used in defending its homeland, including basic infrastructure such as ports, railways, and key supply routes. The existing three divisions of Germany, meanwhile, will remain committed to NATO’s defense efforts at the front lines.
Germany is getting ready to play a crucial role as a logistics hub in the event of a conflict with Moscow. The country is going to be a gateway for tens of thousands of NATO reinforcements moving east through Germany after they arrive at North Sea ports.
