German battlefield helicopters, including the Luftwaffe's CH-53G Stallion (pictured), are to be formed into a new joint army-air force brigade for NATO operations. (US Air Force)
Germany is to combine its army (Heer) and air force (Luftwaffe) helicopters into a joint aviation brigade in response to Russia's continued war in Ukraine.
The Bundeswehr and the two services announced the move on 3 December, saying this new brigade will achieve NATO's objectives to deploy forces more effectively, improve reaction speed, and improve operational readiness.
“In view of the Russia's war of aggression, we will be strengthening our presence on the NATO eastern flank with the ‘Aviation Brigade NFM [New Force Model]' from 2025,” head of the Luftwaffe Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz said.
The Aviation Brigade NFM will comprise 65 helicopters, made up primarily of Heer NHIndustries NH90 Troop Transport Helicopters (TTHs) and Luftwaffe VFW-Sikorsky CH-53G-series helicopters.
News of the upcoming formation of Aviation Brigade NFM came about four years after the Heer stood up a new helicopter command geared at streamlining the decision-making process of the Division Schnelle Kräfte (DSK) Rapid Forces Division, and is part of a wider reorganisation of the German military's helicopter forces that includes upgrades to existing platforms and procurement of new ones.
For more information on German military helicopter forces, please see German Army standsup new helicopter command .
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