German Army stands-up new helicopter command

The Germany Army has stood up a new helicopter command geared at streamlining the decision-making process of the Division Schnelle Kräfte (DSK) Rapid Forces Division.

A spokesperson for the army told Janes on 25 March that the Kommando Hubschrauber (Command Helicopter) is located at Bückeburg in North Rhine Westphalia, and that Brigadier General Ulrich Ott is its first chief. According to the spokesperson, operations will formally begin on 1 April, with the German Army Aviation Regiments, the International Helicopter Training Centre, and the Rotary-Wing Army System Centre being subordinate to Gen Ott and his new command.

“For the first time in the history of the [helicopter] troop, everything is under one roof – fight operations, leadership, technology, and training,” the Germany Army declared.

Janes first reported in March 2020 that the German Army was putting together this new helicopter command of the German-Dutch division. Speaking under the Chatham House Rule, a senior official said, “The [German] Army has decided to form a new helicopter command. This will concentrate decision-makers under one general command so as to accelerate, for example, procurement.”

As the official noted at the time, this new command will be able to plug-in to the German Air Force, the German Navy, and other international friends and partners “It’s not a joint command – it’s an army command – but the idea is actually to close the gaps that currently exist,” the official said.