Germany to turn stations and car parks into bomb-proof bunkers over Russia fears
Germany is planning to transform metro stations and car parks into bomb-proof bunkers and shelters as they scramble to build defences against Russia.
The plans come over fears that the Kremlin could attack a NATO country by 2029, prompting concerns over Germany's defence system. Ralph Tiesler, the head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, stressed that the country needs to create a shelter which will fit around a million people inside.
Speaking about the shift in urgency, he said: 'For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario for which we needed to prepare. That has changed. We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe.' He further explained that Germany must 'muster a functioning, comprehensive defence system by then."
To ramp up the process of protection, Germany will utilise existing facilities such as tunnels, garages and the basements of public buildings, instead of creating brand-new shelters. Currently, the country has around 2,000 bunkers which were used in the Cold War. However, fewer than 600 are sufficient enough to use. On top of this, the current amount would only house 480,000, which is less than 1% of the German population, reports New York Post.
Tiesler is calling for the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to fund the renovations and transform the public spaces. He told news site Zeit Online: "We don't want to unnecessarily frighten anyone, but we must nevertheless clearly warn of the danger of a military attack."
It comes after Germany's chief of defence, General Carsten Breue, earlier stressed that NATO was facing a "very serious threat" from Russia. He previously told the BBC: "This is what the analysts are assessing - in 2029. So we have to be ready by 2029... If you ask me now, is this a guarantee that's not earlier than 2029? I would say no, it's not. So we must be able to fight tonight."
He further supported the decision that Finland and Sweden made to join NATO shortly after Russia launched war against Ukraine. He added: "All of them understand the threat that is at the moment approaching Nato, all understand that we have to develop a direction of deterrence, into the direction of collective defence. This is clear to everyone. The urgency is seen."
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