The Directorates-General

The Directorate-General for Security and Defence Policy frames and coordinates security, defence and arms control policy in the remit of the Federal Ministry of Defence and prepares strategic guidelines for fleshing it out.

The Directorate-General for Equipment undertakes the planning, management and supervision of national and international armaments activities with regard to the tasks of the Bundeswehr and the resulting capability profile. It bears overall responsibility for the procurement and in-service use process in the Bundeswehr and exercises ministerial supervision.

Established on 1 October 2016, the Directorate-General for Cyber / Information Technology plans and coordinates national and international cyber and information technology activities in the remit of the Federal Ministry of Defence. The Directorate-General's functions include not only the planning and implementation of all the defence aspects of whole-of-government cyber security within the national cyber security strategy, but also the protection of Bundeswehr computer networks and data processing centres against cyber attacks.

The Directorate-General for Planning concentrates on the performance process "implement integrated planning”. By doing so, this department is able to shape the Bundeswehr in order for it to comply with the conditions of the future, develop the Bundeswehr of tomorrow and ensure its running in the present. With its three subdivisions, planning I "strategic control of planning”, planning II "strategic skill development” and planning III "planning implementation”, the department performs the professional work within the planning process and, thereby, supports the work of the BMVgBundesministerium der Verteidigung.

The Directorate-General for Forces Policy assists the Chief of Defence directly in the discharge of his function as the superior of all the soldiers in the armed forces and the highest-ranking soldier in the Bundeswehr. The directorate-general is notably responsible for the establishment and maintenance of operational readiness in the armed forces.

The Directorate-General for Strategy and Operations is particularly accountable to the FMoD Executive Group in matters concerning the preparation, planning and management of operations. The directorate-general furthermore assists the Chief of Defence in his function as the highest military representative of the Bundeswehr in international bodies.

The Directorate-General for Budget and Controlling drafts the financial planning documents. It prepares the part of the budget relevant to the FMoD and is responsible for executing it after it has come into effect. It furthermore assists in the handling of any matters of financial concern. It designs the central management accounting system and assists the FMoD Executive Group in defining and operationalising strategic objectives and in measuring success.

The Directorate-General for Legal Affairs is the central authority for all legal matters concerning security and defence policy and Bundeswehr operations. It handles all matters of legal relevance to the FMoD Executive Group and the Chief of Defence.

The Directorate-General for Personnel is the central authority for matters concerning the personnel process in all the fields of personnel management. These include recruitment, personnel planning, personnel development and personnel management, pay, pensions and benefits, welfare matters, and initial, follow-on and advanced training.

The Directorate-General for Infrastructure, Environmental Protection and Services is responsible for the provision and operation of Bundeswehr facilities at home and abroad and in theatres of operations and for the identification of relevant requirements. It is also responsible for the provision of defence catering and retail services, travel management and ensuring that account is taken of matters of environmental protection, occupational safety and nature conservation of specific concern to the Bundeswehr in policy decisions and legal provisions.