Germany's Bundeswehr to more than double Home Defense Division by 2035

The Bundeswehr's Home Defense Division will be expanded from its current strength of about 6,500 personnel to well over 10,000 soldiers by 2035, according to its commander Generalmajor Andreas Henne. The division, established in April 2025 with six regiments, presently includes roughly 390 active troops and 4,400 reservists and is tasked with protecting critical domestic infrastructure such as ports, airports, bridges, railways and energy facilities.

Henne said new home‑defence battalions and support battalions will be created, significantly increasing the number of soldiers available for "freedom of movement" operations—ensuring the rapid transport of troops and equipment across the country. The expanded force is also intended to sustain Germany's role as a strategic NATO hub, enabling quick redeployment of allied forces to the alliance’s eastern flank in a potential conflict with Russia.