The minister with his elite

Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius visited the Special Forces Command (KSK) at the Graf Zeppelin Barracks in Calw today. The focus of his visit was on the unit's current operational readiness and its further development against the backdrop of the changed security situation in Europe. The KSK functions as a technological laboratory for special operations within the German Armed Forces. New drone defense systems, AI-supported reconnaissance equipment, and modern communication and command procedures are being tested in Calw. Brigadier General Andreas Kühne, Commander of the Special Forces Command: “The visit by the Minister of Defense is a sign of great appreciation for the women and men of the KSK and underscores that the Army's special forces are an indispensable strategic element of political and military leadership. Our goal is to have answers to the new forms of warfare.”

In his statement, Defense Secretary Pistorius praised the KSK as a highly flexible and indispensable strategic instrument of political and military leadership: “It is one of our top elite units in the Army for very unusual, important, and usually very dangerous missions. Today, I was once again able to see for myself the special and unique capabilities of the KSK and how professionally they work here.”

Today's visit marks the start of a special year: in September 2026, the Special Forces Command will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1996, the unit has undergone constant transformation and professionalization. The minister also emphasized this: “The unit has experienced and gone through a lot in these three decades – and has achieved great things.”

The KSK has repeatedly been called upon for important assignments, missions, and operations. Pistorius underscored these achievements in his words of thanks to the members of the Special Forces Command: "Above all, thank you for the special job you do so magnificently. 

A job that, for security reasons, usually remains hidden from everyone else and takes place behind the scenes, but is of enormous importance."

The KSK's range of operations extends from the rescue and evacuation of German citizens to the fight against international terrorism and the gathering of key information in high-risk areas, with a focus on national and alliance defense. The commandos possess a unique combination of physical resilience, mental stability, and the ability to make precise decisions under extreme time pressure and in all climatic zones.

Today was Defense Minister Pistorius' second visit to Calw. In the summer of 2023, he awarded two KSK soldiers the Bundeswehr Cross of Honor for Bravery.