The German Armed Forces’ Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), a highly specialized and largely confidential elite unit, is set to receive new leadership. The Federal Ministry of Defence, under the direction of Boris Pistorius, has decided that Brigadier General Andreas Kühne will assume command of the unit in the coming weeks, according to reports.
This change in leadership has been prompted by the current KSK commander, Alexander Krone, being appointed to lead the 1st Armoured Division in Oldenburg.
The KSK, stationed at the Graf Zeppelin Barracks in Calw, Baden-Württemberg, was originally established for hostage rescue operations behind enemy lines. Since the commencement of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the elite unit has also been undergoing training for potential deployment within the framework of national and collective defence. This training focuses primarily on intelligence gathering in hostile territory and the neutralization of high-value targets, such as command posts.
Incoming KSK commander Andreas Kühne brings significant international experience to the role, having most recently served with the NATO training mission in Iraq. He was transferred to the Federal Ministry of Defence as a department head just a few months ago.