Pistorius Names Lt Gen Christian Freuding as the Next Generalinspekteur of the Bundeswehr From February 2027, Succeeding Breuer

Pistorius said Freuding, as head of the Ukraine special staff, had analysed the rapid technical developments in Russia's war against Ukraine and drawn conclusions for the Bundeswehr's ability to defend itself, and as Army chief had turned them into measures, citing the drone regiment. The ministry describes the Generalinspekteur as responsible for the overall concept of military defence, including its planning and further development, and for command of the armed forces. Breuer, who has held the post since March 2023, was elected by the alliance's chiefs of defence in Copenhagen on 19 September.

The officer who argued for an Army deep-strike arm becomes the soldier responsible for the Bundeswehr's overall planning. At a parliamentary evening of the Förderkreis Deutsches Heer, an Army support association, on 7 October, Freuding said, according to a leaked speech text hartpunkt quoted, that the Army would have low-cost cruise missiles, a decision taken, with two market-available systems to be qualified and first deliveries possible from 2027; and that from the land forces' perspective Typhon and Tomahawk were "rightly placed with us in the Army too". The Luftwaffe has also stated an interest in Tomahawk. The Bundeswehr's future detailed structure, which would place the weapons, was then before the ministry for approval, a decision for the minister. No contract for either weapon is on the record, and the first German Tomahawk is reported for 2031 at the earliest, so the planning that turns either into a capability runs through the remit Freuding takes over in February. Signal No. 183 carried the appointment.