National People's Army (East Germany)

The National People’s Army (NVA) was the armed forces of East Germany (the German Democratic Republic) from 1956 until reunification in 1990. It served to protect the socialist state's sovereignty, support communist policies, and defend against potential NATO threats. Comprising the Army, Air Forces, Navy, and border guards, the NVA was trained and equipped largely by the Soviet Union. It played a key role in East Germany's military structure during the Cold War, but was dissolved after the country’s reunification with West Germany, with its personnel and equipment integrated into the unified German military.