The role of logistics in the Bundeswehr: A foundation for the planning and conduct of operations

In military practice, logistics is not an end in itself; rather, it is an essential foundation for all Bundeswehr combat forces to stand on, spanning all phases of the planning and conduct of operations.

The scenarios that are currently considered most likely with regard to deployment within a NATO context call for the seamless integration and effective capabilities of a complex logistics network. Functionally, this network rests on three central pillars:

• First, the capabilities in the theatre of operations, which are provided by the mobile Bundeswehr Joint Support Command logistics forces; they support the service logistics of the combat units – be they Army, Air Force or Navy units or units of the Cyber and Information Domain Service or the Bundeswehr Joint Support Command (BwJSC).
• Second, the strategic “coupling bridge”, which serves as an indispensable link between Germany and the theatre of operations abroad.
• Third, the capabilities of fixed BwJSC logistics facilities in Germany, including resource offices, as well as the integration of civilian commercial partners and the defence industry.

The strategic importance of a functioning and robust logistics concept has been thrown into stark relief by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Flexible and rapid operational support can be effective only if the underlying logistics network is robust and resilient. If the term “warfighting capability” is to be taken seriously in its true and full meaning, one must invariably be prepared to make substantial investments in the Bundeswehr logistics system.

At present, the Bundeswehr has about 182,000 military personnel, meaning that a smart mix of resources is necessary to accomplish these challenging tasks. This requires a joint, Bundeswehr-wide effort that also involves civilian and multinational third parties. The available quantities of numerous weapon systems have been reduced quite significantly. For historical reasons, the stockpiling of replacement and exchange items and ammunition has been geared towards routine operations and exercises as well as international crisis management. Now, stockpiling is gradually being adapted to meet the new requirements.

The Bundeswehr logistics system: structure and challenges

The Bundeswehr logistics system is well-established and available to all requesting agencies within the armed forces. Should there be an RSOMI operation for the purpose of collective defence, Germany would play a pivotal role as the central hub for Allied forces. However, the establishment of this ‘coupling bridge’ requires the use of commercial services because the military resources alone are not sufficient for this task.

The logistics network in the theatre of operations is characterised by great agility and the need for frequent redeployment due to the enemy’s vast and rapid reconnaissance capabilities, especially in terms of service logistics. In theatre, a comprehensive logistics network is established that starts with the network of Bundeswehr Joint Support Command logistics in Germany and extends through the critical functionality of the ‘coupling bridge’ deep into the logistics network in the actual theatre of operations.

The term ‘coupling bridge’ entails much more than just the physical transfer of materiel to a different country. This bridge also serves to provide and make available services from third parties, including host-nation support (HNS), partners or private service providers.

A closer look at the logistics network in the theatre of operations

The core task of the mobile BwJSC logistics forces is to establish the BwJSC logistics network in the theatre of operations. They set up this network based on the schematic representation of a construct made up of logistical nodes. In the network, supplies are held available to support the various operational domains. These are quasi-stationary in the rear area but deployable closer to the forward area, so they can be made available to the service logistics organisations of the individual services as required.

To that end, the mobile logistics forces are employed in the form of both heavy and light logistics battalions. Depending on their specific mission and the theatre of operations, these battalions are able to ensure mobile, agile and situation-oriented resupply. Through these efforts, the mobile BwJSC logistics forces set the stage for the activities of the highly mobile service logistics forces in the various domains, thus ensuring their freedom of operation.

Which brings us to the final link in the Bundeswehr logistics system: the service logistics organisation. These forces receive supplies from the BwJSC logistics forces at agreed and designated interfaces and provide logistical services directly to the deployed forces of the respective domain (e.g. Army forces). Structured like this, the Bundeswehr logistics system has proven invaluable in operations abroad, domestic operations (e.g. disaster assistance) and exercises. The mobile BwJSC logistics forces are of particular and vital importance; without these forces, the deployed forces of the major military organisational elements would simply lack the crucial resupply route from Germany on which their lives depend, and they would also be unable to evacuate materiel to Germany.

The tasks of the mobile BwJSC logistics forces include logistical support to strategic deployment within the framework of the RSOMI (reception, staging, onward movement and integration) process as well as the integration of host nation services (HNS), of commercial services (contractor support to operations (CSO)) and of services provided by government institutions (for instance by HIL GmbH (Army maintenance logistics)).

The importance of integrated logistical support (ILS) and data management

The Bundeswehr approach to integrated logistical support (ILS; called ‘Integrated Lifecycle Support’ in NATO) is aimed at ensuring the logistical supportability of systems throughout their entire life cycle. This applies equally to all operational logistics business processes: materiel management, maintenance and production, and movement and transport.

The underlying master data, which is conveyed via the data models of the S-Series Integrated Product Support (IPS) specifications, forms the indispensable foundation of this system. Only because of this data is it possible to perform the logistical business processes of materiel management, maintenance and production, and movement and transport by means of the currently available software, SASPF (Standard Application Software Product Families).

Reliable master data is absolutely essential because it serves as the basis for decision-making and management with regard to the processes mapped in information technology (IT) systems. Without consistent master data, the results of IT-based automation or simulation would be flawed, leading to potentially incorrect deductions or decisions.

Currently, the following standards and specifications are to be used in the Bundeswehr and are linked to SASPF:

• S1000D: A specification covering technical documentation and the maintenance master data derived from it.
• S2000M: A specification covering materiel master data, cataloguing and materiel management, which also governs, among other things, procurement and management processes between the Bundeswehr and NATO defence agencies.
• Global Standard One: A standard for marking materiel to ensure it can be properly managed and tracked.

Future developments and benefits

Going forward, there are plans for the systematic application of the remaining IPS specifications (SX000i, S3000L, S4000P, S5000F and S6000T). This is directly related to Germany’s ratification of NATO STANAG (Standardization Agreement) 4876 – the NATO regulation on the ILS process, also known as NATO GUIDANCE FOR INTEGRATED LIFE CYCLE SUPPORT (ALP-10).

As a result, there will be benefits for the Bundeswehr in several strategic areas:

Logistically optimal procurement and in-service use of defence products in the Bundeswehr relies on the standardisation of processes and data. It is therefore imperative that a uniform basis is provided for technical logistics management (TLM) and that consistent master data is made available in the IT systems (SASPF) and for the exchange of usage data. These digital and procedural standards provide the groundwork for the efficient and goal-oriented work of the operational business areas – namely materiel management, maintenance and production, and movement and transport – thus ultimately ensuring optimal operational readiness of material resources.

The comprehensive application of the ILS process is aimed primarily at maximising the operational readiness of weapon systems in the Bundeswehr, in addition to limiting life cycle costs (LCC).

Data governance forms the basis for all other activities. The goal of Bundeswehr logistical data management is to build a foundation strong and resilient enough to guarantee the efficiency and stability of all logistical processes. On a conceptual level, this foundation rests on four supporting pillars:

• The standards and specifications include mandatory guidelines on how data is to be generated, managed and used. International standards such as S1000D or S2000M are also included, and quite deliberately so. Strict adherence to standards such as these is the only way to ensure that data can be understood and used consistently, both internally and internationally – for example when cooperating with NATO partners.
• Cataloguing requirements are in place to guarantee unambiguous item identification. Use of the NATO Codification System (NCS) and the designated N-CORE tool ensure that materiel is catalogued without ambiguity throughout NATO. This creates indispensable transparency and maximum interoperability in the field of materiel management.
• For the day-to-day use of logistical data, processes are defined that specify how data is to be integrated into the various workflows. The task here is not just to establish rules but also to actively help with data maintenance, to manage interfaces with operational systems and to ensure that data is used correctly from the procurement of items to their segregation.
• Data quality management defines rules for data quality as well as specific actions that need to be taken in order to monitor and continuously improve these rules. Even the largest database is worthless if the data it contains is flawed or outdated. Therefore, processes are established to ensure the quality of the data through continuous review.

With such a solid foundation to stand on, it is possible to pursue two overarching strategic objectives:

For one, there is TLM, where the product-related data is consolidated. TLM ensures that all technical information related to a system, such as a vehicle or weapon system, is complete, up to date and available in a standardised format.

Then, there is data governance within the logistics main process, which ensures that logistical data is used consistently and reliably throughout the process context.

Both areas go hand in hand. The structure created here is an essential prerequisite for the introduction of modern systems, such as SAP S/4HANA or predictive maintenance. Without it, there would be no way of guaranteeing effective cooperation between the various actors (military/civilian and national/international) or future-proofing logistical capabilities.

In summary, logistics is a strategic backbone for military operations, and its importance will continue to grow in light of current geopolitical instabilities, such as the war in Ukraine. The Bundeswehr logistics system is currently being transformed by the integration of national, civilian and multinational actors as well as by digitalisation via S-Series IPS specifications and modern IT systems (SAP S/4HANA). This transformation is crucial to optimising the operational readiness of material resources and reining in life cycle costs.

Data governance, unambiguous NCS identification, process integration and quality assurance form a foundation that is absolutely essential for the Bundeswehr as it seeks to meet the logistics challenges of tomorrow and to ensure that its network is robust and agile. The ability to efficiently and effectively provide the Bundeswehr with the supplies it requires – be it through fixed BwJSC logistics facilities in Germany, the ‘coupling bridge’ or highly mobile service logistics forces in theatre – is not an optional factor; it is a guarantor of strategic success. Therefore, it is essential for the Bundeswehr to continuously update its logistics strategy and invest in future-oriented technologies in order to ensure that it retains its capacity for action and meets its NATO commitments in the long term.

Lt Col Sebastian Mielke and Sebastian Gutjahr

Authors: Lieutenant Colonel (General Staff) Sebastian Bernd Mielke, is a senior officer within the Logistics Command of the Bundeswehr, Department of Planning.
Sebastian Gutjahr is a Technical Senior Government Councillor, in the Logistics Command of the Bundeswehr, Department of Planning.