In the presence of General of the Army Pierre Schill, Inspector of the French Army, and Lieutenant General Dr. Christian Freuding, Inspector of the German Army, the commander of the 1st French Division, General of Division Bruno Helluy, and the commander of the 10th Panzer Division, Major General Jörg See, signed on 16 July 2026 in Müllheim the declaration of initial capability of the Franco-German Brigade for its mission on the NATO East Flank.
France and Germany established the brigade in June 2025 as a combat formation for the rear area, as the so-called Rear Area Task Force, for planning and exercises under the command of the Multinational Corps North-East in Szczecin. In this role, the brigade assumes essential tasks to maintain freedom of operation in the rear area of the combat forces.
Full Operational Readiness of the Franco-German Brigade by Mid-2027
Behind the women and men of the Franco-German Brigade lie demanding months. In three exercises led by the Szczecin Corps, the brigade in 2025 and 2026 demonstrated that it is capable of planning and executing missions as a combat formation in the rear area.
With the signing, the two force commanders officially confirm that the brigade for its assignment in NATO collective defense possesses the fundamental capabilities and the necessary equipment. The German components of the brigade, whose staff is stationed in Müllheim in the Markgräflerland, belong to the 10th Panzer Division. The next, decisive step for the Franco-German Brigade is the dual exercise Griffin Defender/Griffin Lightning 27 in May and June 2027. There the brigade will demonstrate its full readiness for deployment.
