[2] The division is equipped and trained for high intensity combat operations against militarily organized enemies as well as peacekeeping missions.

The majority of all German troops assigned to EU-Battlegroups and Nato Response Forces will come from this division.

The 43rd Mechanized Brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army is integrated into the 1st Panzer Division since 2016.

1st Panzer Division has deployed to the Balkans, Afghanistan and to several peacekeeping operations.

Troops of this division were also deployed to the support of civilian agencies during large natural disasters such as the Hamburg Floods of 1962, disastrous wild fires in Northern Germany in the 1970s and the 2002 Floods in Eastern Germany.