Do you have everything? German Armed Forces full equipment by 2025

The German Armed Forces are to be fully equipped with protective vests, combat helmets, combat clothing, and backpacks by the end of 2025. The necessary amending contract was signed today between the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology, and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) and the in-house company Bw Bekleidungsmanagement (BwBM) GmbH.

Based on past commissions initiated by the BAAINBw and the contractually sealed impetus today, all active soldiers are to be equipped with up to 351,000 sets of Modular Ballistic Protection and Carrying Equipment (MOBAST), 313,000 sets of Combat Clothing Set Forces (KBS SK), 338,000 backpacks with a volume of 110l, and 313,000 new combat helmets by the end of the year 2025. This includes corresponding quantities for stocking various sizes and a proportional reserve for regeneration.

Lieutenant Colonel Marko Dietzmann, the responsible department head at the BAAINBw, emphasizes: "This investment is an enormous milestone for the troops. While the original schedule foresaw the year 2031 due to insufficient budgetary resources, we will now be able to achieve full troop equipment by 2025."

This swift contract conclusion ensures sufficient industrial production capacities for the Bundeswehr during times of limited raw material availability and increasing demand in the global market. To address the simultaneous challenges of the Special Fund for the Bundeswehr announced by Chancellor Scholz and the existing provisional budget management of the federal government, the Ministry of Defense (BMVg) has notified the Ministry of Finance (BMF) of the need for approval of extraordinary expenses and the necessary commitment authorization amounting to more than 2.3 billion euros. This was communicated to the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag at its 10th meeting on April 7, 2022.

On the occasion of the committee meeting, Federal Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht stated: "We will see rapid improvements in the troop and aim to achieve full equipment for the troops with protective vests, combat clothing, and backpacks by the end of 2025. The personal protective equipment is particularly important to me because our soldiers deserve the best protection in operations and exercises." The BAAINBw has laid the contractual foundations for this today.

The commissioned equipment consists of articles that have already been introduced into the Bundeswehr:

Combat Clothing Set Forces (KBS SK)

The KBS SK is a modern combat outfit that provides soldiers with 25 different articles of clothing adapted to all operational scenarios in all climate zones.

Modular Ballistic Protection and Carrying Equipment (MOBAST)

The MOBAST protective vest system consists of a Class 4 protective vest, ballistic underwear to protect against small fragments, and carrying equipment for magazines and gear. Additionally, modular splinter protection elements for neck and shoulder, groin protection, as well as upper arm and thigh protection are available.

Combat Helmet Forces

The future combat helmet is already used by Specialized Forces. This helmet is currently being issued to the soldiers of the VJTF 2023. As a "Full Cut" model, it provides maximum protection for the head against impact and ballistic threats, is compatible with equipment items (especially communication sets and ear protection), and allows for the adaptation of night vision devices and other attachments.

Backpack System 110 Liters

This system consists of a backpack, two side pockets, a smaller mission backpack, and several pack liners, designed for troop units with a specified endurance of 72 hours in dismounted operations.

BUNDESWEHR in the Internet