Pistorius expresses intent to significantly increase investments in artillery.
At the Artillery Training Center in Idar-Oberstein, Ukrainian soldiers are also undergoing training. This was made known during a visit by the Defense Minister, who announced plans for adjustments and funding increases.
The German military's artillery modernization is set to begin in earnest next year, according to Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. During his visit to the Artillery School, he revealed that drafts for the acquisition of the RCH 155 wheeled howitzer and its corresponding ammunition will be presented to the German parliament at the start of next year.
Pistorius confirmed that the number of artillery battalions will be increased from the current five. He did not reveal the exact number of additional battalions that will be formed. "We need it at the division level, we need it at the brigade level. Therefore, we will need several battalions in the coming years," he said. The Ministry of Defense is also working on the acquisition drafts for the Puls system, which is the successor to the Mars II rocket launcher.
More investment needed
The era of under-investment is over, Pistorius declared. By the end of 2026, 22 self-propelled howitzers of the 2000 type are to be delivered. Of these, 18 will be allocated to the Lithuanian brigade, while the remaining four will be used for replenishment. Two domestic production lines for artillery were established in the summer to reduce dependence on foreign delivery of high-explosive shells, the minister added.
Pistorius recently announced the delivery of an additional 12 Panzerhaubitzen 2000 to Ukraine. "Six of these will be delivered in the next eight weeks, I think," he said. The Russian attack on Ukraine highlights the critical role of artillery on the modern battlefield, as a land force "is hardly capable of acting without effective and deployable artillery."
The Artillery School in Idar-Oberstein is the German Armed Forces' primary training facility for artillery troops. Established in 1956, it provides training for officers, cadets, and non-commissioned officers in various courses. Artillery supports the combat troops of the army, with its main weapons systems including the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and the Mars II rocket launcher.
Ukrainian soldier training
Since May 2022, Ukrainian soldiers have undergone training at the Artillery School to operate these systems. Over 500 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained on the two systems, according to Pistorius. The Artillery School is also expected to train Ukrainian soldiers on the wheeled howitzer in 2025.
The Artillery School is undergoing significant modernization and renovation, with plans to invest around 150 million euros over the next few years. "The infrastructure has been neglected by the Bundeswehr for the last 30 to 40 years," Pistorius said. The renovations are progressing at a rapid pace, with the minister spending his visit engaging in conversations with soldiers and employees on site. The school typically hosts around 500 course participants each year.
The initial training with the Ukrainian soldiers was "an exciting adventure," said barracks commander Andreas Orth. The Ukrainians were highly motivated, making it "a great pleasure" to work with them. The initial separation after seven weeks of training was challenging, with concerns about whether they had been adequately prepared. "We knew that if they couldn't do it, they would die. We were overjoyed to receive positive feedback from Ukraine that it worked," Orth said.
The Commission, part of the German Ministry of Defense, is overseeing the modernization and renovation of the Artillery School, with plans to invest approximately 150 million euros over the next few years. The Commission is also involved in the acquisition of new artillery systems, such as the RCH 155 wheeled howitzer and the Puls system, which is the successor to the Mars II rocket launcher.
