Countering unmanned systems and improvised explosive devices
The threat posed by unmanned systems, whether combat or reconnaissance drones, is growing. The Counter-IED/Counter-UxS Centre of the Bundeswehr Joint Force Command is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the threat posed by unmanned systems. UxS stands for unmanned systems, with the x describing the respective domain – land, air, sea – in which the drone is used.
As part of the Bundeswehr Joint Forces Operations Command, the Centre’s task was to monitor and evaluate the IED situation in the mission areas and standby commitments, so as to advise German contingents on the threat posed by these improvised explosive devices. Following the activation of the Bundeswehr Joint Force Command, the Centre is now subordinate to this Command, with an extended scope of tasks. In addition to counter-IED, the C-IED/C-UxS Centre is now also tasked with countering threats from unmanned systems in all domains.
Irregular forces, such as insurgents, rebels and terrorists, frequently use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for attacks. In the mission areas of international conflict and crisis management, IEDs have therefore been among the most common and unpredictable threats for international forces in recent decades.
IEDs are also used in the war in Ukraine, especially in improvised combat drones. This involves conventional UxS being equipped with improvised or manipulated explosive devices. With the increasing availability of simple drones, it is likely that these systems will be used in conflict regions of international crisis management as well as in possible scenarios of national and collective defence.
Commercially available drones with improvised explosive devices are regularly used in the war in Ukraine. It is likely that they will also be used in scenarios of national and collective defence.
Bundeswehr/Marc Tessensohn
Improvised explosive devices can be screened with mobile X-ray systems, as shown here during an exercise of the EOD forces in the United States
Bundeswehr/Carl SchulzeThe Counter-IED/Counter-UxS Centre of the Bundeswehr Joint Force Command combines the expertise on IED and UxS. It analyses IED and UxS-related incidents in the mission areas and in Ukraine from an operational, tactical, and technical perspective. The findings are then evaluated and fed into the overall situation picture.
Beyond this, the findings and information are also directly incorporated into capability requirements, joint force development, and the development of own tactics, techniques and procedures for Counter-IED/Counter-UxS. The objective is to rapidly identify and effectively counter threats so as to continuously improve the protection of military personnel in all operational scenarios.
