Defense Minister Dr. Franz Josef Jung visits WTD 52

Oberjettenberg, 09/25/2007.
The protection of our soldiers on missions becomes more important with the increasing number of missions abroad. In this area, the Bundeswehr Technical Center 52 (WTD 52) makes a significant contribution to the armed forces with the performance of tests and research work.

Tour through the underground facility with the minister. (Source: Bundeswehr / WTD 52)

On 25 September 2007, Dr. Franz Josef Jung, the Federal Minister of Defense, visited the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Protective and Special Technologies (WTD 52) in Oberjettenberg. During his visit the minister informed himself about the spectrum of tasks and the unique infrastructure of the agency.

At the beginning, the director of WTD 52, Dipl.-Ing. Eva-Maria Ganz, presented the task and capability profile of the WTD 52 in the underground facility. Then the minister was briefed into the different task areas by practical demonstrations on a tour through the tunnel areas.

The agency focuses its activities on the protection of soldiers on missions abroad. In this context, the minister witnessed a detonation against a container type that serves as troop accommodation on missions abroad. The explosion was performed in the closed-off tunnel system and was recorded by highly sensitive measuring equipment. The results could be viewed directly after the performance of the test via high speed videos.

The application of non-lethal weapons, another main focus of the agency’s research and test activities was subsequently presented to the minister’s delegation. Currently, a variety of assets reaching from catch nets via barriers to irritant agent launchers are being examined at WTD 52. Non-lethal weapons can e. g. be used against crowds that are on the verge of getting out of control.

North entrance to WTD 52 (Source: Bundeswehr / WTD 52)

The end of the presentations was reserved to the subject of indirect protection which basically covers the field of “camouflage, concealment and deception”. Also at this station, the minister could assure himself that the challenges faced in missions abroad are taken up by the agency. As an example he was shown a FENNEK armored vehicle concealed for desert operations.

The minister was impressed by the capabilities and the unique and modern infrastructure of WTD 52. In his closing remarks he pointed out how important the protection of the soldiers on missions is and thanked the agency personnel for the commitment that they show in the performance of their duties.

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