The Cyber and Information Domain Service (CIDS) (German: Cyber- und Informationsraum, German pronunciation: [ˈsaɪ̯bɐ ʊnt ɪnfɔʁmaˈt͡si̯oːnsˌʁaʊ̯m] ; CIR) is the youngest branch of the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr. The decision to form an organizational unit was presented by Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen on 26 April 2016, becoming operational on 1 April 2017. It is headquartered in Bonn.[3]
In November 2015, the German Ministry of Defense activated a Staff Group within the ministry tasked with developing plans for a reorganization of the Cyber, IT, military intelligence, geo-information, and operative communication units of the Bundeswehr.
On 26 April 2016, Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen presented the plans for the new military branch to the public and on 5 October 2016 the command's staff became operational as a department within the ministry of defense. On 1 April 2017, the Cyber and Information Domain Service (CIDS) was activated as a "military organizational unit" (Organisationsbereich), indicating its status below a full service branch, such as the air force. The CIDS Headquarters took command of all existing electronic warfare, signals, IT, military intelligence, geoinformation, and psychological operations units. [4]
As part of a wider restructuring of higher command in the Bundeswehr in 2024, it was decided to upgrade it from a military organizational unit to the fourth full military service branch, alongside Heer (army), Luftwaffe (air force) and Deutsche Marine (navy).[5]
The CIDS is commanded by the Chief of the Cyber and Information Domain Service (Inspekteur des Cyber- und Informationsraum InspCIR), a three-star general position, based in Bonn.[6] As of April 2023, it is structured as follows:
Cyber and Information Domain Service Command (Kommando Cyber- und Informationsraum KdoCIR), in Bonn
Reconnaissance and Effects Command (Kommando Aufklärung und Wirkung KdoAufkl/Wirk), in Gelsdorf
911th Electronic Warfare Battalion
912th Electronic Warfare Battalion, mans the Oste-class SIGINT/ELINT and reconnaissance ships
931st Electronic Warfare Battalion
932nd Electronic Warfare Battalion, provides airborne troops for operations in enemy territory
Cyber-Operations Centre (Zentrum Cyber-Operationen ZSO)
Central Imaging Reconnaissance (Zentrale Abbildende Aufklärung ZAbbAufkl), operating the SAR-Lupe satellites
Central Bundeswehr Investigation Authority for Technical Reconnaissance (Zentrale Untersuchungsstelle der Bundeswehr für Technische Aufklärung ZU-StelleBwTAufkl)
Signals Reconnaisance Centre North (Fernmeldeaufklärungszentrale Nord FmAufklZentr NORD)
Signals Reconnaisance Centre South (Fernmeldeaufklärungszentrale Süd FmAufklZentr SÜD)
Bundeswehr Geoinformation Centre (Zentrum für Geoinformationswesen der Bundeswehr), in Euskirchen
Information Technology Services Command (Kommando Informationstechnik-Services der Bundeswehr KdoIT-SBw), in Bonn
281st Information Technology Battalion
282nd Information Technology Battalion
292nd Information Technology Battalion
293rd Information Technology Battalion
381st Information Technology Battalion
383rd Information Technology Battalion
Bundeswehr Cyber-Security Centre (Zentrum für Cyber-Sicherheit der Bundeswehr ZCSBw)
Bundeswehr Software Digitalisation Centre (Zentrum Digitalisierung der Bundeswehr und Fähigkeitsentwicklung Cyber- und Informationsraum ZDigBw)
Bundeswehr Operational Communications Centre (Zentrum Operative Kommunikation der Bundeswehr ZOpKomBw)
Training Centre CIDS (Ausbildungszentrum CIR AusbZ CIR)