Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung Koblenz

About the museum

The Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung (Military Technology Study Collection) goes back to an initiative by Defense Minister Franz Josef Strauss, who suggested in 1961 that weapons, equipment and technical documents be preserved systematically. The collection was established in 1962 as a purely study collection in Meppen, on the former Krupp firing range.

In 1982 the collection moved to the Langemarck barracks on Mayener Straße in Koblenz and was opened to the public. It belongs to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and sees itself as the Bundeswehr's memory of military technology: the objects serve training, research and documentation, and some are kept in working order.

On around 7,200 square meters, the WTS shows about 2,500 exhibits, from small arms, artillery, engineer and signals equipment to wheeled and tracked vehicles, aircraft and naval technology; the total holdings, including the depot, are far larger. After a pandemic-related closure from 2020 and repair work, the exhibition has been open to all visitors again since June 19, 2023. It is supported by the friends' association of the WTS (Verein der Freunde und Förderer der WTS).

Highlights

• Around 2,500 exhibits on about 7,200 m²
• Main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles as well as wheeled vehicles
• Combat aircraft such as the MiG-21 and F-104G
• Small arms and machine weapons from the 18th century to the present
• Cutaway models of tanks and vehicles
• Uniforms and personal equipment

Permanent exhibitions

• Wehrtechnische Ausstellung – The exhibition arranges weapons and equipment by technical field – from small arms and artillery to signals and engineering technology, tanks, aircraft and naval technology.

Founded

1962

Operated by

Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw)

Admission & discounts

Free admission for soldiers and civilian members of the Bundeswehr (service ID) and members of the friends' association. Payment is by coin at the turnstile – bring exact change.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Only the first floor and the exhibition hall are wheelchair-accessible.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

The collection deals mainly with technical aspects; the friends' association recommends school classes only from lower secondary level (Sekundarstufe I) and after the ethical questions of war and violence have been covered in class. Children under 10 get free admission.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit