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Armed Forces and Units

Bundeswehr

Modern

The Bundeswehr is the unified armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany, established in 1955 during the Cold War as part of West Germany's rearmament and integration into NATO, a decision made only a decade after World War II amid considerable domestic and international controversy over reconstituting a German military. Deliberately designed under the doctrine of Innere Fuhrung, or leadership development and civic education, to instill democratic values, subordination to civilian government and individual soldiers' rights to conscientious objection within the ranks, the Bundeswehr's institutional culture was consciously built in contrast to the unquestioning obedience associated with the Wehrmacht and earlier German military traditions. Organized around army, navy and air force branches, the Bundeswehr remained a purely territorial-defense-oriented force through most of the Cold War before gradually expanding its mandate to include participation in NATO and United Nations peacekeeping and stabilization operations abroad following German reunification in 1990, including deployments to the Balkans and Afghanistan. Long maintained through conscription, the Bundeswehr suspended compulsory military service in 2011, transitioning to an all-volunteer force, before renewed security concerns following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine prompted a major German government commitment to substantially increased defense spending and modernization.

Facts
Force Type
Force Type (category)
Army 1
Force Type (category)
Navy 1
Force Type (category)
Air Force 1
Force Type
Unified tri-service armed forces (army, navy, air force) with a joint support command 1
Founded Year
1955 1
Country
Germany (Federal Republic of Germany) 1
Connections

Associated With

Eurofighter Typhoon, Weapons Systems

The Eurofighter Typhoon, built by a European consortium including Germany, has equipped the Bundeswehr since the early 2000s

Heckler & Koch G3, Weapons Systems

The Heckler and Koch G3 was the Bundeswehr's standard battle rifle from 1959 into the 1990s

Leopard 2, Weapons Systems

The Leopard 2 has been the Bundeswehr's main battle tank since 1979

MP5 Submachine Gun, Weapons Systems

The MP5 submachine gun, originally developed by Heckler and Koch, became a standard German service weapon of the Bundeswehr

Fought In

Cold War, Wars
Source Wikipedia: Bundeswehr

Operates

9K32 Strela-2, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: SA-7 (Grail) / 9K32 Strela-2
ArmaLite AR-10, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: ArmaLite AR-10
Arrow 3, Weapons Systems
Source Arrow 3, Wikipedia
Beretta Model 38, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Beretta Model 38
BRDM-2, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: BRDM-2
Colt AR-15, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: ArmaLite / Colt AR-15
DSR-Precision DSR-1, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: DSR-Precision DSR-1
FH70, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: FH70
FIM-92 Stinger, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: General Dynamics / Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger
Haenel MK 556, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Haenel MK556
Haenel RS9, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Haenel RS9
Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile, Weapons Systems
Source Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Threat: Harpoon
Heckler & Koch AG36, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK AG36
Heckler & Koch G3, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch G3
Heckler & Koch G41, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK G41
Heckler & Koch HK416, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch HK416
Heckler & Koch HK433, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK433
Heckler & Koch HK45, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK 45
Heckler & Koch MP5, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch MP5
Heckler & Koch P30, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK P30
Heckler & Koch P7, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch P7
Heckler & Koch SL8, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK SL8
Heckler & Koch SR9, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch SR9
Heckler & Koch VP9, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch VP9
Heckler and Koch GMG, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK GMG (GMW / GraMaWa)
Heckler and Koch MP7, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK MP7
Heckler and Koch P11, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch P11
Heckler and Koch UMP, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch UMP (Universal Machine Pistol)
IRIS-T, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: IRIS-T
KM2000 Combat Knife, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: KM2000
M2 Browning Machine Gun, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: M2 Browning
M47 Patton, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: M47 Patton
Marder (infantry fighting vehicle), Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Marder (infantry fighting vehicle)
Mark 41 Vertical Launching System, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Mark 41 vertical launching system
MG3 Machine Gun, Weapons Systems
Source MG 3 machine gun (Wikipedia)
Mi-24 Hind, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Mil Mi-24
MP5 Submachine Gun, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch MP5
MT-LB, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: MT-LB (M1970)
Panzerfaust 3, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: Panzerfaust 3
PzH 2000, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000)
RBS 15, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: RBS 15
RCH 155, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: KMW BOXER RCH-155
SIG Sauer P226, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: SIG-Sauer P226
SIG SG 550, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: SIG SG 550 (Sturmgewehr Model 550) / Stgw 90
TPz Fuchs, Weapons Systems
Source Wikipedia: TPz Fuchs
Walther P22, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Walther P22
Walther PPQ, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Walther PPQ (Polizei Pistole Quick defense)
Walther WA 2000, Weapons Systems
Source MilitaryFactory.com: Walther WA2000
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Germany

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Wikidata: Bundeswehr
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Bundeswehr
Wikipedia
  • Lead paragraph 1
    are the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany.
  • History section, Cold War subsection
    The Bundeswehr was officially established on the 200th birthday of Scharnhorst on 12 November 1955.
  • Fought In: Cold War, Lead
    During the Cold War the Bundeswehr was the backbone of NATO's conventional defence in Central Europe.
View the Source
Wikidata: Bundeswehr
Wikidata Q56010, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile Threat: Harpoon
Center for Strategic and International Studies Missile ThreatOperates: Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile, Missile at a glance: Operators
Quote, Operates: Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile, Missile at a glance: Operators
Operators United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, and Venezuela
View the Source
Wikipedia: Mil Mi-24
WikipediaOperates: Mi-24 Hind, Users section
Quote, Operates: Mi-24 Hind, Users section
Germany
View the Source
Wikipedia: Mark 41 vertical launching system
Operates: Mark 41 Vertical Launching System, Users section
Quote, Operates: Mark 41 Vertical Launching System, Users section
Germany
View the Source
Wikipedia: RBS 15
Operates: RBS 15, Users section
Quote, Operates: RBS 15, Users section
Germany
View the Source
Wikipedia: IRIS-T
Operates: IRIS-T, Users section
Quote, Operates: IRIS-T, Users section
Germany
View the Source
Arrow 3, Wikipedia
Operates: Arrow 3, Infobox: used_by
Quote, Operates: Arrow 3, Infobox: used_by
Israel Germany
View the Source
Wikipedia: FH70
Operates: FH70, Operators
Quote, Operates: FH70, Operators
Germany, 150 as FH155-1 (Field Howitzer 155mm Mk1), last unit (225th Mountain Artillery Battalion) converted to tracked artillery in 2002
View the Source
Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch P7
Operates: Heckler & Koch P7, Users
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch P7, Users
Germany: Was used by the military police (Feldjäger)
View the Source
Wikipedia: TPz Fuchs
Operates: TPz Fuchs, Infobox: used_by
Quote, Operates: TPz Fuchs, Infobox: used_by
Bundeswehr and other (see Operators)
View the Source
Wikipedia: Marder (infantry fighting vehicle)
Operates: Marder (infantry fighting vehicle), Infobox: used_by
Quote, Operates: Marder (infantry fighting vehicle), Infobox: used_by
Bundeswehr Armed Forces of Ukraine
View the Source
Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch G3
WikipediaOperates: Heckler & Koch G3, Wikipedia article text
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch G3, Wikipedia article text
The G3 was the service rifle of the West German Bundeswehr until it was replaced by the Heckler & Koch G36 in the 1990s after German reunification, and was adopted into service with numerous other countries.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch MP5
  • Operates: MP5 Submachine Gun, Wikipedia article text
    Development began in 1964, and in 1966 the HK54 was adopted by the Bundesgrenzschutz and by Bundeswehr special forces, initially as the MP64, before being redesignated as the MP5.
  • Operates: Heckler & Koch MP5, Wikipedia article text
    Development began in 1964, and in 1966 the HK54 was adopted by the Bundesgrenzschutz and by Bundeswehr special forces, initially as the MP64, before being redesignated as the MP5.
View the Source
Wikipedia: M2 Browning
WikipediaOperates: M2 Browning Machine Gun, Wikipedia article text
Quote, Operates: M2 Browning Machine Gun, Wikipedia article text
It is also used by the German Bundeswehr on their NH-90 helicopters.
View the Source
MG 3 machine gun (Wikipedia)
Operates: MG3 Machine Gun, Wikipedia article text
Quote, Operates: MG3 Machine Gun, Wikipedia article text
The MG 3 was standardized in the late 1950s and adopted into service with the newly formed Bundeswehr, where it continues to serve to this day as a squad support weapon and a vehicle-mounted machine gun.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch HK416
Operates: Heckler & Koch HK416, Article text
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch HK416, Article text
According to the Federal Procurement Office (BAAINBw - Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr), when the Bundeswehr officially adopted the rifle, it was designated as the G95A1.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Beretta Model 38
Operates: Beretta Model 38, Wikipedia article text
Quote, Operates: Beretta Model 38, Wikipedia article text
Used by Bundeswehr (until 1959) and Bundesgrenzschutz (replaced at the end of the 1960s).
View the Source
Wikipedia: Panzerfaust 3
Operates: Panzerfaust 3, Lead section
Quote, Operates: Panzerfaust 3, Lead section
The Panzerfaust 3 (lit. 'armor fist' or 'tank fist') is a modern semi-disposable recoilless anti-tank weapon, which was developed between 1978 and 1985 and first entered service with the Bundeswehr in 1987 (although they did not officially adopt it until 1992).
View the Source
Wikipedia: M47 Patton
Operates: M47 Patton, Wikipedia article text
Quote, Operates: M47 Patton, Wikipedia article text
Like the US Army of the time, the West German Bundeswehr also used the M47 in a tank destroyer role until replacing them with the Kanonenjagdpanzer in 1966.
View the Source
Wikipedia: KM2000
Operates: KM2000 Combat Knife, Lead
Quote, Operates: KM2000 Combat Knife, Lead
The KM2000 (German: Kampfmesser 2000, lit. 'Combat knife 2000') is the standard combat knife of the German Bundeswehr.
View the Source
Wikipedia: Haenel RS9
Operates: Haenel RS9, Lead
Quote, Operates: Haenel RS9, Lead
It is the Bundeswehr's medium-range sniper rifle and replaces the Accuracy International AWM in the Kommando Spezialkräfte and Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine.
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: SIG-Sauer P226
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: SIG Sauer P226, Operators
Quote, Operates: SIG Sauer P226, Operators
[ Canada; Finland; Germany; Greece; India; Indonesia; Iran; Ireland; Jordan; Luxembourg; Malaysia; New Zealand; Poland; Singapore; South Korea; Spain; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: SIG SG 550 (Sturmgewehr Model 550) / Stgw 90
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: SIG SG 550, Operators
Quote, Operates: SIG SG 550, Operators
[ Argentina; Brazil; Egypt; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Macau; Malaysia; Malta; Pakistan; Philippines; Poland; Serbia; Slovakia; Spain; Switzerland; Turkey; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000)
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: PzH 2000, Operators
Quote, Operates: PzH 2000, Operators
[ Croatia; Germany; Greece; Italy; Netherlands; Qatar; Ukraine (announced, via Netherlands) ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: SA-7 (Grail) / 9K32 Strela-2
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: 9K32 Strela-2, Operators
Quote, Operates: 9K32 Strela-2, Operators
[ Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Botswana; Benin; Bulgaria; Burkina Faso; Cambodia; China; Croatia; Cuba; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Czechoslovakia; Egypt; Ethiopia; Finland; East Germany; Germany; Ghana; Guinea-Bissau; Hungary; Indonesia; India; Iraq; Iran; Kuwait; Laos; Lebanon; Libya; Macedonia; Mauritania; Morocco; Mozambique; Nicaragua; North Korea; Pakistan; Peru; Poland; Romania; Sierra Leone; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Somaliland; South Yemen; Soviet Union; Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Ukraine; Vietnam; Yugoslavia; Zambia; Zimbabwe; Tamil Eelam ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: KMW BOXER RCH-155
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: RCH 155, Operators
Quote, Operates: RCH 155, Operators
[ Germany; Ukraine (announced) ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: ArmaLite AR-10
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: ArmaLite AR-10, Operators
Quote, Operates: ArmaLite AR-10, Operators
[ Brazil; Burma; Canada; Cuba; Finland; Guatemala; Italy; Nicaragua; Portugal; Romania; Sudan; West Germany ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: ArmaLite / Colt AR-15
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Colt AR-15, Operators
Quote, Operates: Colt AR-15, Operators
[ Australia; Austria; Canada; Finland; Germany; Iraq; Malaysia; Sweden; United Kingdom; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Walther P22
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Walther P22, Operators
Quote, Operates: Walther P22, Operators
[ Bangladesh; Germany; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK433
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler & Koch HK433, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch HK433, Operators
[ Germany (possible); United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: MT-LB (M1970)
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: MT-LB, Operators
Quote, Operates: MT-LB, Operators
[ Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bangladesh; Belarus; Bulgaria; Czechoslovakia; Czech Republic; East Germany; Finland; Georgia; Germany; Hungary; Iraq; Kazakhstan; Lithuania; Macedonia; Moldova; Nigeria; Poland; Russia; Soviet Union; Sweden; Ukraine; United States; Uruguay; Yugoslavia ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: General Dynamics / Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: FIM-92 Stinger, Operators
Quote, Operates: FIM-92 Stinger, Operators
[ Angola; Bangladesh; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Croatia; Chad; Chile; Denmark; Egypt; Germany; Greece; Iraq; Israel; Italy; Japan; Latvia; Lithuania; Mexico; Netherlands; Norway; Pakistan; Portugal; Taiwan; Slovenia; Spain; Switzerland; Turkey; United Kingdom; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Walther WA2000
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Walther WA 2000, Operators
Quote, Operates: Walther WA 2000, Operators
[ Germany; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Walther PPQ (Polizei Pistole Quick defense)
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Walther PPQ, Operators
Quote, Operates: Walther PPQ, Operators
[ Germany; Taiwan; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK 45
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler & Koch HK45, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch HK45, Operators
[ Australia; Germany; Malaysia; Singapore; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Haenel MK556
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Haenel MK 556, Operators
Quote, Operates: Haenel MK 556, Operators
[ Germany (police); Poland (police) ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: DSR-Precision DSR-1
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: DSR-Precision DSR-1, Operators
Quote, Operates: DSR-Precision DSR-1, Operators
[ Denmark; Germany; Luxembourg; Malaysia; Spain; Taiwan ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch SR9
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler & Koch SR9, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch SR9, Operators
[ Germany; South Africa; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch VP9
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler & Koch VP9, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch VP9, Operators
[ Germany; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK MP7
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler and Koch MP7, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler and Koch MP7, Operators
[ Albania; Australia; Austria; Egypt; Germany; Ireland; Italy; Indonesia; Japan; Jordan; Malaysia; Norway; Oman; Russia; South Korea; United Kingdom; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch UMP (Universal Machine Pistol)
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler and Koch UMP, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler and Koch UMP, Operators
[ Albania; Australia; Brazil; Germany; Greece; Jordan; Latvia; Malaysia; Mexico; Romania; Serbia; Slovakia; Thailand; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK G41
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler & Koch G41, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch G41, Operators
[ Italy; Spain; Sri Lanka; Turkey; United States; West Germany ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: BRDM-2
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: BRDM-2, Operators
Quote, Operates: BRDM-2, Operators
[ Abkhazia; Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Angola; Armenia; Belarus; Benin; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Burundi; Cape Verde Islands; Cambodia; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Croatia; Cuba; Czech Republic; Czechoslovakia; East Germany; Egypt; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Estonia; Ethiopia; Gaza; Georgia; Germany; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Hungary; India; Indonesia; Iraq; Israel; Ivory Coast; Kazakhstan; Latvia; Lebanon; Libya; Lithuania; Macedonia; Madagascar; Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Moldova; Mongolia; Mozambique; Namibia; Nicaragua; Palestine; Peru; Poland; Polisario; Romania; Russia; Serbia and Montenegro; Seychelles; Slovakia; Slovenia; Somalia; Somaliland; Soviet Union; Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; United States; Vietnam; Yugoslavia; Zimbabwe; Zambia ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK SL8
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler & Koch SL8, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch SL8, Operators
[ Australia; Germany; United Kingdom; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK GMG (GMW / GraMaWa)
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler and Koch GMG, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler and Koch GMG, Operators
[ Canada; Finland; Germany; Greece; Ireland; Latvia; Lithuania; Malaysia; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Slovenia; United Kingdom; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch P11
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler and Koch P11, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler and Koch P11, Operators
[ Denmark; France; Germany; West Germany; Israel; Italy; Malaysia; Netherlands; Norway; Pakistan; United Kingdom; United States ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK AG36
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler & Koch AG36, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch AG36, Operators
[ Canada; Croatia; France; Germany; Indonesia; Kosovo; Latvia; Lithuania; Malaysia; Mexico; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Spain; Turkey; United Kingdom (L123A2); United States (M320). ]
View the Source
MilitaryFactory.com: Heckler & Koch HK P30
MilitaryFactory.comOperates: Heckler & Koch P30, Operators
Quote, Operates: Heckler & Koch P30, Operators
[ Germany; Malaysia; Norway; Pakistan; Portugal; Switzerland ]
View the Source
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