10th Panzer Division Pistorius: Army to Establish a Drone Regiment

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At the Land Experimental Series at the Bergen training area, the latest innovative systems are being tested to assess their suitability for use by the troops. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius used his visit to announce that the Army will establish a drone regiment from 2027.

The Land Experimental Series tests systems under conditions close to combat — first individually, then as part of an information and communications network. The trials take place on the training ground with troops, not development engineers. Prototypes, known as demonstrators, are put through practical stress tests outdoors. Military technology is only useful if it works beyond the confines of a protected laboratory.

The soldiers test the systems to answer questions such as: which tactics are likely to succeed? What proves effective is then reflected in structures, operational principles and new requirements for industry. The aim is to generate usable data and develop networked systems for the Army’s successful conduct of digitalised operations. The trial at the Bergen training area in Lower Saxony lasts ten days.

Pistorius: Army demonstrates its ambition to drive innovation

The Defence Minister was briefed on the progress of the tests involving innovative systems on firing range 20. “We are relying on high technology in procurement. We are watching very closely what is happening on the battlefield in Ukraine: control of data, networking and innovation cycles determine success or failure. Uncrewed systems are also playing an increasingly important role,” Pistorius said.

At the subsequent press conference, Pistorius announced that the Army would establish the Bundeswehr’s first drone regiment during 2027 — a standalone unit for uncrewed systems. The regiment would bring together uncrewed capabilities for reconnaissance, engagement and intercepting enemy drones, the minister said. These would include not only airborne systems but also uncrewed ground systems.

The regiment would cover a range of operational distances, from close and very close range — in some cases using small reconnaissance and strike drones — through medium range to long range. It would also include an electronic warfare company.

The Inspector of the Army, Lieutenant General Christian Freuding, emphasised: “Today is a great day for the Army. Establishing this new regiment is a major step towards becoming ready for war.”

Minister Pistorius provided further details about the new drone regiment: it will form part of the divisional troops of the 10th Panzer Division, known as Division 2025. The minister also made clear that, alongside the creation of a standalone drone regiment, uncrewed systems would be integrated into all Army formations “as a matter of course”. Lieutenant General Freuding added that work would begin around the turn of 2026–27 to introduce uncrewed systems in three Army branches: the light infantry, reconnaissance and armoured forces. “Now we are expanding that framework by establishing this standalone regiment as well.”

He said he believed both approaches — a standalone regiment and the deep integration of systems into the Army’s units and branches — had potential. “I believe this will enable us to make a significant further gain in the pace of uncrewed warfare,” Freuding said.

Innovation and lessons from Ukraine are key to success

Much of what was on display at the Land Experimental Series might seem like science fiction, Pistorius said. However, he stressed: “This is anything but fiction — it is already becoming a reality.” The event showed the direction in which the Army needed to move. “Control of data is crucial; connectivity and innovation cycles set the pace — all of this ultimately determines success or failure,” the minister said. He encouraged the Army to continue holding these experimental series, “because they are key to being at the forefront of developing what really matters”.

Germany benefits from its strategic partnership with Ukraine in the field of innovation, Pistorius emphasised. Close ties with the Ukrainian armed forces help Germany learn from Ukraine’s battlefield experience, test new approaches and put them into practice.