Germany is reportedly considering a major reorganization of its specialized paratrooper units. The EGB companies, currently part of the two Bundeswehr paratrooper regiments, could be consolidated into a single unit and placed under the Kommando Spezialkräfte, the KSK.
This was reported by the German specialized portal Hartpunkt, citing several sources informed about the ongoing planning. When asked about the matter, the German Army neither confirmed nor denied the hypothesis, merely stating that the reorganization processes are not yet complete.
The possible reform should therefore be considered, at least for now, as a qualified rumor and not an already official decision.
Who are the EGB Paratroopers
The acronym EGB stands for Erweiterte Grundbefähigung, translatable as “advanced basic capability for special operations.”
These are selected paratroopers, trained and equipped to perform particularly complex tasks in support of Special Forces. The Bundeswehr itself classifies them as “Army Specialized Forces,” thus distinguishing them from the operators of the Special Forces proper.
Their operational profile lies between that of regular paratrooper units and that of KSK operators. The EGB can support Special Forces during evacuation operations, target capture, raids, urban combat, personnel protection, and recovery.
Their training includes, among other skills, advanced shooting techniques, close combat, ballistic or explosive entry, communications, tactical medical assistance, and infiltration through various operational environments.
Four Companies in Two Paratrooper Regiments
Currently, the Bundeswehr has, at least organizationally, four EGB paratrooper companies.
The 2nd and 3rd Companies belong to the Fallschirmjägerregiment 26, based in Zweibrücken, while two other companies with similar capabilities are part of the Fallschirmjägerregiment 31 in Seedorf.
Both regiments are under the Luftlandebrigade 1, the only airborne brigade of the German Army. The unit brings together all Bundeswehr paratroopers under a single command and has a total of about 4,400 soldiers.
In addition to the four companies, elements of specialized paratrooper platoons, canine units, airborne reconnaissance, and airborne engineering also possess qualifications or capabilities related to the EGB.
A New Unit Near the KSK
According to information published by Hartpunkt, the project would involve detaching the EGB companies from the two paratrooper regiments and concentrating them within a new unit.
The new unit would then be placed under the Kommando Spezialkräfte and could be located in Baden-Württemberg, in a facility near the KSK.
The Kommando Spezialkräfte has its main headquarters in Calw, in southwestern Germany. The geographical proximity would allow for intensified joint training, standardized procedures and equipment, and quicker deployment of the EGB in operations conducted by the Special Forces.
The reorganization would also mark a significant change in the structure of German paratroopers. The EGB companies would no longer be distributed between the two regiments of the Luftlandebrigade 1 but would form a specialized component more integrated with the KSK.
An Intermediate Level Between Paratroopers and Special Forces
The first EGB units were established in 2007 with the aim of creating an intermediate capability between conventional paratrooper infantry and Special Forces.
The EGB should not be confused with KSK operators. The latter belong to the Special Forces and are deployed for particularly sensitive strategic missions often covered by high levels of secrecy.
The EGB paratroopers, on the other hand, belong to the Specialized Forces: they can independently conduct certain complex tasks, but one of their main functions is to support and expand the operational capabilities of the Special Forces.
In recent years, these units have participated in activities in Afghanistan, Operation Gazelle in Niger, and the training of Ukrainian Special Forces. The EGB also regularly train with the special components of the German Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Greater Integration in Special Operations
The concentration of companies into a single unit could improve the standardization of training, personnel management, and operational availability.
A single command would also make it easier to assign the EGB to Special Forces task forces, reducing the organizational distance that currently separates them from the KSK.
However, the reform would also mean the departure of a significant portion of specialized capabilities from the two paratrooper regiments. It will therefore be necessary to understand which capabilities will remain in the Luftlandebrigade 1 and how support for regular airborne operations will be ensured.
At present, there are no official communications on the size of the possible new unit, its name, or the timing of the reorganization.
The hypothesis nonetheless confirms the Bundeswehr's intention to strengthen the connection between its specialized paratrooper units and the Special Forces system.
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