Fernspähkompanie

Deep Reconnaissance Company 200 Fernspählehrkompanie 200
Badge of Fernspählehrkompanie 200
Active	1962–2014
Country	Germany
Branch	German Army
Type	Special operations
Role	Special reconnaissance (SR) Asymmetric warfare Forward air control
Size	About 220 troops
Part of	Special Operations Division
Garrison/HQ	Pfullendorf, Baden-Württemberg
Motto(s)	The Eye of the Army Oculus Exercitus
Engagements	Aftermath of the Balkan Wars 1995–1999 (incl. operations to search and arrest war criminals) Kosovo War Afghanistan War Congolese Civil War
Commanders
Current commander	Major Christian Simmelbauer

Coordinates: 47°54′36″N 9°15′22″E / 47.91000°N 9.25611°E / 47.91000; 9.25611

The FSLK200 (Fernspählehrkompanie 200) was a highly specialized reconnaissance unit of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). It has also been described as a deep reconnaissance company.

Fernspäher is an old term for elite reconnaissance troopers, relating to the word fern (long range, distance) and the word Späher (scout). Thus, the Fernspäher are specially trained and equipped reconnaissance soldiers who cover great distances to gather intelligence and fulfill military tasks of high importance.

In October 2011 the Federal Ministry of Defence (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung) announced that the FSLK200 will be deactivated, and their functions integrated into other units, a process that was to be completed by the year 2014.

The FSLK200 was tasked with the gathering of critical intelligence deep behind enemy lines, whereby primarily, important strategic targets were to be recced, to enable or support a joint strike measure.

Hereby, the company was to adopt a supporting role for other Special Forces branches of the German Armed Forces. Soldiers in service with the FSLK200 were qualified, to conduct special operations stationary or mobile, at both night and daytime, and to provide with extended documentation and analysis of gathered intelligence through the means of optronic reconnaissance.