The German Armed Forces intend to form a special, fourth branch of the army, whose task will be to guard critical infrastructure and key military sites, an army spokesman announced, quoted by DPA, BTA reports.
The personnel of the new internal troops division will include both reservists and servicemen on active military service, and the unit will have its own unified command. It will only be partially activated.
The formation is scheduled to enter combat duty as part of the Bundeswehr ground forces from April 1.
Last year, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius ordered a reorganization to strengthen the Bundeswehr's defense capabilities by establishing a unified operational command.
Pistorius motivated the changes with the current international environment and the threats arising from it, as well as the need to maintain increased combat capability that would allow Germany to survive militarily in the event of a defensive war.
Total of the ground, naval and air forces, plus medical and other auxiliary units, the Bundeswehr personnel number 260,000 people. This includes civilian employees.
According to the new structure, the internal troops will be subordinated to the ground forces from April 1, and their number is planned to increase further.
In its current composition, the German ground forces include a total of 3 divisions, consisting of around 20,000 soldiers.
The formation of a fourth with the task of protecting Germany's internal security represents a significant strengthening of the Bundeswehr's capabilities, notes DPA.