A decisive building block for the further development of the medium forces arrived at Panzerbrigade 21 “Lipperland” at the end of August. At the Bergen training area in Lower Saxony, the first operators on the new Heavy Weapons Carrier Infantry were trained from Jägerbataillon 413 in Torgelow. The highlight of the weeks-long training were the first firing exercises with the new combat vehicle. With the completion of gunnery training, the Augustdorf Brigade now has the first soldiers qualified to operate the new weapons system.
The Heavy Weapons Carrier Infantry closes a major capability gap for the medium forces. It combines the high wheeled mobility of the GTK Boxer, which has been available for years, with significantly increased firepower. As the first brigade of the medium forces, Panzerbrigade 21 will in the future rely entirely on wheeled combat vehicles. This makes it deployable along the entire NATO flank within a very short time. With the Heavy Weapons Carrier Infantry, frontal combat against enemy infantry or battle tanks is now also possible.
Heavy Weapons Carrier Infantry replaces Wiesel
Thus, the Panzerbrigade 21 receives a protected fire-support platform that can follow the rapid and mobile combat operations of the medium forces on its own axle and make a robust contribution to the fight. The new combat vehicle is based on the proven GTK Boxer platform and replaces the tracked Wiesel weapons carrier in its role. It is equipped with a 30-mm onboard cannon and, in addition, with the MELLS anti-tank guided missile system, which allows engaging heavily armored targets at longer ranges. The introduction represents a substantial gain in firepower and protection while maintaining high wheeled mobility.
The first soldiers of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Jägerbataillon 413 will initially be trained by industry on the new combat vehicle. Subsequently, the soldiers will themselves be qualified as instructors. In this way, training is gradually transferred into the responsibility of the troops. At the same time, the Bundeswehr is creating the final logistic and infrastructural prerequisites for integrating the new system at the sites of Torgelow, Rotenburg/Wümme, and Schwarzenborn. New ammunition, additional technical training as well as maintenance and repair place altered demands on personnel, equipment, and infrastructure.
The Panzerbrigade 21 is the first brigade of the German Army to be assigned to the new force category “Medium Forces.” With its wheeled, highly mobile formations, the brigade is capable of rapid and far-reaching deployment throughout the NATO European operations area. Through high mobility, firepower, and armor protection, the large formation is flexible, versatile, fast, and deployable.
