The Bundeswehr’s Special Forces Command (KSK) misses tons of ammunition and explosives, and those responsible at the top show concern. “This is really a potential hazard that builds up behind it,” said Bundeswehr Inspector General Eberhard Zorn at a press conference with Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. “We are investigating everything we have.”
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In the course of the KSK investigation after a series of right-wing extremist incidents, it was found that the whereabouts of tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition and 62 kilograms of explosives had not been clarified. “It’s no small thing,” said Anger. These are quantities that could also be used in attacks.
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In May, the Saxon police had excavated an arms store on the property of a KSK soldier. The inspector general pointed out that in addition to explosives, a fuse was also found. Defense Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer said “that it is indeed a new quality”. At the moment it was not clear whether the disappearance was connected with sloppy bookings and withdrawals, whether ammunition had been left behind during operation or indeed branched off “and for what purpose it has been moved elsewhere”.
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The minister renewed the threat with further consequences if the measures announced on Tuesday against right-wing extremism at the KSK had no effect. Then the special forces could be organized fundamentally differently. “The soldiers know that if they want to get their KSK, then they have to do it better.”
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As a consequence of right-wing extremist incidents with the elite force, the minister had previously ordered the dissolution of the second of four KSK command companies. It wants to fundamentally reform the rest of the unity. According to the investigation report submitted by the Minister, parts of the KSK “had developed a toxic leadership style, extremist tendencies and a lax use of materials and ammunition” (read more about the countermeasures here). Right-wing extremists have recently been exposed by the MAD military screening service among Bundeswehr reservists.
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