Christian Freuding to lead the Bundeswehr in February 2027
Boris Pistorius has selected the current Army chief to succeed Carsten Breuer. Freuding previously coordinated military support for Ukraine.
Lieutenant General Christian Freuding will become Inspector General of the Bundeswehr in February 2027, succeeding General Carsten Breuer. The German Bundeswehr Association (DBwV) reported the decision announced by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin on 5 November 2026.
This is a forthcoming change of Germany’s highest-ranking military officer, not a handover that has already taken place. Freuding currently serves as Inspector of the Army. According to DBwV, Breuer is due to chair NATO’s Military Committee from July 2027.
Explaining his choice, Pistorius highlighted Freuding’s experience in analysing technological changes in Russia’s war against Ukraine and their implications for Germany’s defence capabilities. As reported by DBwV, the minister cited the establishment of the Army’s first drone regiment. His wording described the regiment as being formed now, rather than announcing its completed deployment.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Freuding headed the German Defence Ministry’s special Ukraine staff and coordinated German military support for Kyiv. From 2023 to 2025, he also led the ministry’s newly created planning and command staff. These stages of his service are described in DBwV’s 5 November report.
Freuding took over command of the Army from Alfons Mais on 1 October 2025. The ceremony was held in Strausberg, DBwV reported at the time. The latest decision therefore concerns a move from leading one service to becoming Inspector General of the entire Bundeswehr.
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