Transformation: Just Another Buzzword or Real Step into the Future of the German Army

摘要

The traditional sources of conflict have changed. The terrorist attacks of September 2001 showed the world there were new sources of conflict: fundamentalism, fanaticism, and the globalization of terrorism. Most western armies soon realized that a change in their traditional structures was necessary if they were to successfully face these new threats. Unfortunately, the German Army's new structure lacks key capabilities and does not meet the needs of the current battlefield. In particular, the structure of the German Intervention Forces Division does not meet these needs. With its armored backbone, this division is still designed to face a conventional army in open terrain. Even if tanks play a significant role in modern urban combat, they cannot compare to the lack of Mechanized Infantry in the Intervention Brigades. Their numbers are too low to gain total control over significant urban environments. It could be argued that this shortfall can be rectified by the Airborne Brigade and the Infantry Regiment in the Air Mechanized Brigade that are assigned to the Intervention Forces. But this option fits just one type of current operation: urban combat. Fighting in rough, mountainous terrain can hardly be managed by these troops. To be able to fight successfully in a mountainous environment, troops need more than just light infantry training. They need special skills and training and the ability to operate at high altitudes. These capabilities are currently available in the German Army's Mountain Brigade. The Mountain Brigade is not only able to conduct operations in a mountainous environment, but also in urban areas. Also, it is the only brigade in the German Army that has an organic pack animal company. This would enable the brigade to operate under weather conditions that do not allow troop insertions or supply by helicopters. The Mountain Brigade should be transferred to the Intervention Forces Division to make these capabilities available, if needed.