Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is rapidly reorganizing the leadership of the Bundeswehr: Brigadier General Christian Freuding will take over the management of a new planning and command staff in the Ministry of Defense (BMVg), the SPD politician informed all members of the Bundeswehr in writing on Thursday.
The ministry had had a planning staff for the development and analysis of key strategic military goals since 1968, but this was abolished in 2012 under CDU Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière.
Pistorius also informed about his decision to put Christian-Hendrik Heusermann in charge of the management staff. “I will transparently communicate personnel changes in top positions – if decisions have actually been made,” assured Pistorius in the letter that was available to the German Press Agency. And: “I emphasize this in particular against the background of numerous speculations. I ask for your trust here.”
Bureaucracy has been criticized for a long time
It is expected that Pistorius could also relocate a larger number of positions in the ministry. There had been criticism of the structures and long decision-making processes in the ministry and subordinate federal authorities because of the slow start to the course correction after the Russian attack on Ukraine. The core of these already existed before, without any effective changes occurring. Pistorius had recently replaced the inspector general, a state secretary and the president of the BAAINBw procurement office.
“In the past eleven weeks, I have taken a close look at the structures and processes in the BMVg, asked many questions and, above all, listened to you. I received external and internal advice and experienced and learned a lot about the structures of the house,” wrote Pistorius on Thursday. Thank you for your openness and expertise.
“Many of you share my analysis that we as a House must position ourselves better in view of the new challenges,” the minister continued. He wants to make the necessary change process as transparent as possible. He will speak to all committees and has invited to a staff meeting for the time after Easter. Pistorius: “There I would like to present my plans to you – especially for the design of the planning and management staff – explain my motives in detail and, above all, exchange ideas with you.”
Praise from the FDP
Freuding, the future head of the planning staff, is currently head of the special staff for Ukraine in the Defense Ministry and also accompanied Pistorius on his trip to Kiev. The officer practically coordinates German military aid. He was previously the commander of Panzer Lehrbrigade 9 in Munster. Again and again Freuding has publicly analyzed and explained the military developments in Ukraine.
The material reinforcement with Western battle tanks and armored personnel carriers will enable the Ukrainians to create local superiority, Freuding told the German Press Agency in February. “You will then be able to achieve success in both defense and attack,” he said.
Pistorius’ decision was welcomed by the Bundestag on Thursday. “Even as head of the Ukraine situation center, Christian Freuding coped with the challenging task with determination and informed about the situation with a pleasant mixture of the necessary clarity and empathy,” said the chair of the defense committee, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP). “Therefore, with his calm and stringent manner, he is an excellent choice for this important post.”
