Germany Steps Up Civil Defense Amid Looming Threat of Russian Aggression
Expands Bomb Shelter Count in Anticipation of Potential War with Russia by Germany.
Germany is gearing up for a potential Russian attack within the next four years, leading to plans for a rapid expansion of bomb shelters and shelter facilities. According to Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), this shift in focus and preparations is born out of growing concerns over a large-scale aggressive war in the European region.
The drastic change in Germany's stance towards war readiness was highlighted when Tiesler shared that for far too long, there was a widely held belief that war was an unrealistic scenario for Germany to prepare for. However, the current situation has drastically changed. The materialization of such a threat, once deemed impossible, is no longer a distant concern for the German population.
Acknowledging the urgency for immediate action, Tiesler proposed a series of measures aimed at transforming various existing structures such as tunnels, metro stations, underground garages, parking lots, and basements into bomb shelters that can accommodate 1 million people in times of distress. In addition to physical infrastructure, Tiesler emphasized the need for updates to information systems, including applications, road signs, and sirens.
These extensive plans will be detailed in the BBK's comprehensive strategy set to be presented this summer. Preliminary estimates suggest that the entire project will cost at least €10 billion over the next four years, and an additional €30 billion over the subsequent ten years.
Alongside these physical changes, Tiesler called for the implementation of a mandatory or voluntary civil defense service and encouraged citizens to stock up on essential supplies for a period of ten days in case of disruptions in power and water supply. Even a 72-hour supply, he remarked, could prove useful in addressing minor disruptions in daily life.
Sweden's head of intelligence has also voiced similar concerns and advocated preparing for war with Russia. In an uncanny echo of these sentiments, Russia's President Vladimir Putin dismissed such statements as nonsense, claiming that Moscow possesses no territorial ambitions and maintains no interest in a confrontation with NATO. Putin also emphasized the absence of any aggressive intentions towards European countries.
With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine casting a long shadow over European security, the German people must remember the value of being prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. And, as always, stay vigilant.
Backstory:
- Only around 580 out of the 2,000 Cold War-era bunkers in Germany are currently operational, with most needing significant upgrades
- These existing operational bunkers have a capacity to house around 480,000 people, equivalent to 0.5% of the German population
- The expansion plans aim to repurpose existing infrastructure like tunnels, underground stations, car parks, and basements of public buildings to create shelter for 1 million people
- The BBK plans to present the comprehensive strategy for civil defense this summer, with an estimated €10 billion required for the next four years and an additional €30 billion over the following ten years.
- In light of the growing concerns over potential war-and-conflicts in the European region, Germany is taking significant steps in politics to enhance civil defense and prepare for a potential Russian aggression.
- As more nations such as Sweden discuss the possibility of war with Russia, the importance of general-news reporting on war readiness and preparation becomes increasingly vital for informed citizens and nations alike.
