Major General Andreas Henne, the commander of the Bundeswehr’s Home Defence Division, announced that the unit is planned to grow to more than double its current size by 2035. Henne told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” that the division currently has a planned strength of 6,500 service members, but this number will rise significantly, exceeding 10,000 soldiers by 2035, doubling its current size. To achieve this, he added, the unit will establish new home defense battalions and support battalions, leading to a notably higher number of personnel.
Henne explained that while the existing capability is sufficient to establish initial readiness-allowing for the securing of infrastructure and enabling the freedom of movement for troops and equipment over long distances-it is not yet equipped to handle a protracted conflict.
Currently, the Home Defence Division, which was established in April 2025 and includes six regiments, comprises 390 active soldiers and approximately 4,400 reservists. Their primary duties involve military protection within the country and securing vital infrastructure such as ports, airports, bridges, railway lines, and energy facilities. More importantly, their role is to ensure Germany can function as a key military “hub” for Europe, allowing NATO forces to be rapidly and safely deployed to the Union’s Eastern flank should a defensive war against Russia occur.
