&w=3840&q=100)
Germany plans rapid bunker expansion amid fears of Russian attack
Currently, only around 580 of Germany's 2,000 Cold War-era bunkers and protective spaces remain operational, with most requiring multimillion-euro upgrades. These facilities could accommodate approximately 480,000 people—just 0.5 per cent of the German population read more
Germany is planning to swiftly expand its network of bomb-proof bunkers and shelters, according to the government's most senior civil protection officer, who warns that the country must be prepared for a Russian attack within the next four years.
Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), said that Europe's largest economy must face the reality of potential conflict, and that Germany is currently unprepared.
'For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario for which we needed to prepare,' he told Süddeutsche Zeitung. 'That has changed. We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Tiesler called for a nationwide effort to identify and convert tunnels, underground stations, car parks, and cellars of public buildings into protective shelters in order to 'quickly create space for 1 million people'. He said his agency would submit a complete plan later this summer.
He added that Germany was in a race against time and that building new bunker facilities alone would not suffice. Such construction would be both time-consuming and costly. Therefore, existing structures must be assessed and adapted without delay.
Russia's escalating invasion of Ukraine has triggered concern in neighbouring countries, particularly the Baltic states, as well as in Poland and Germany, that Moscow could open new fronts across Europe.
Currently, only around 580 of Germany's 2,000 Cold War-era bunkers and protective spaces remain operational, with most requiring multimillion-euro upgrades. These facilities could accommodate approximately 480,000 people—just 0.5 per cent of the German population.
In contrast, the BBK noted that Finland possesses 50,000 protection rooms, enough to shelter 4.8 million people, or 85 per cent of its population.
Tiesler also stressed the need to improve public information systems—including mobile apps and road signs—to clearly direct people to nearby shelters. He called for upgrades to Germany's warning sirens and better cybersecurity for existing alert apps.
He urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government to ensure adequate funding for the BBK's proposals. Although the plans have been deemed necessary, funds have yet to be legally allocated.
It is expected that resources from the billions released following the parliament's suspension of Germany's debt ceiling in March will be directed towards major investments in the military, critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, and civil defence.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
All-party delegation in Germany engages with lawmakers, think-tanks to highlight India's zero-tolerance stand on terrorism
Berlin [Germany], June 7 (ANI): The all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad to Germany met senior representatives from German Government, Parliament (Bundestag) and Think-Tanks to convey India's principled position of 'Zero-Tolerance against Terrorism' and its strategy to tackle cross-border terrorism, especially in light of the dastardly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, the Indian Embassy in Germany said in a statement on Friday. 'During its first day of engagements in Berlin, the All-Party Parliamentary Delegation, led by Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon'ble Member of Parliament & former Union Minister, met with senior representatives from German Government, Parliament (Bundestag) and Think-Tanks to convey India's principled position of 'Zero-Tolerance against Terrorism' and its strategy to tackle cross-border terrorism, especially in light of the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The delegation also briefed the German counterparts and interlocutors about Operation Sindoor - India's firm, precise, targeted and non-escalatory response to the terror attack', the statement said. As per the statement, the delegation called on Johann Wadephul, Foreign Minister of Federal Republic of Germany. Recalling his recent interaction with Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, Wadephul reiterated Germany's strong support for India's fight against terrorism and the right of every nation to defend itself from such terror attacks. The statement observed that the delegation deeply appreciated Germany's strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and expression of solidarity with India. The delegation also emphasized the need to hold the perpetrators of terrorist acts accountable and called for multi-lateral cooperation in this regard. The delegation called on Omid Nouripour, Vice President of the German Parliament (Bundestag) and outlined the three salient features of India's policy in dealing with terrorism- Zero tolerance, not giving in to nuclear blackmail and resolving the issues with Pakistan bilaterally. The delegation emphasised that terrorism is a global threat and must be met with a unified international response. The delegation also met with Armin Laschet, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Bundestag, Ralph Brinkhaus, Member of Bundestag (MdB) and Hubertus Heil, MdB. The delegation conveyed their appreciation for prompt expression of condolences for victims of the Pahalgam terror attack by Germany's top political leadership. They highlighted that the attack was designed to disrupt the booming tourism economy of Jammu & Kashmir and to sow seeds of communal tension in India, as per the official statement. It further observed that during their interaction, the delegation emphasised that Operation Sindoor received support from across the spectrum in India and conveyed India's united stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The delegation interacted with senior members of German Parliament (Bundestag) active in the fields of foreign policy and international affairs and a leading think-tank in Germany, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). Ending the day's engagements, the delegation also had an interaction with representatives from leading German think-tanks and eminent personalities at a reception hosted by Ambassador of India to Germany, Ajit Gupte, the statement read. Notably, during the interactions, the delegation highlighted the measured, precise, responsible and non-escalatory nature of the steps taken by India in response to the terrorist attack. They emphasised that nuclear blackmail should not be allowed as a cover for terrorism and discussed India's strategy against cross-border terrorism in future. German interlocutors expressed support for India's stance, with a shared recognition of the urgent need for the international community to come together in the fight against terrorism. Both sides also discussed India-Germany cooperation in the field of Defence, Security and Counter-Terrorism as part of the deepening Strategic Partnership between the two countries. (ANI)
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
"An invading army at border will not be stopped by eloquence; It will be stopped by military force" MJ Akbar in Germany
Berlin [Germany], June 8 (ANI): Former Union Minister MJ Akbar, who is part of the all-party delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, highlighted India's firm stand against terrorism, saying, 'An invading army at the border will not be stopped by eloquence. It will be stopped by military force'. Akbar is currently in Berlin as part of India's diplomatic outreach to explain the country's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism. Adressing the Indian diaspora in Germany, Akbar emphasised the unity and power of the nation that has enabled it to defeat terrorism not just within its borders but globally. 'That is the unity, that is the power today, which has defeated the terrorist state of Pakistan not only in Kashmir, not only in Punjab, not only in Rajasthan, but in every frontier across the world. We are ending our mission, this phase of our mission, your mission is only beginning. Please remember that,' Akbar stated. Akbar also praised India's economic growth, citing the World Bank's report, which shows that the number of people living in extreme poverty in India has dropped below 5 per cent. 'We have not only become the fourth largest economy in the world, but last night the World Bank released that those living in hardship poverty in India are less than 5 per cent now. That is the economic growth we want,' he said. Addressing the issue of terrorism, Akbar stressed that military force is necessary to counter invading armies and terrorists. 'An invading army at the border will not be stopped by eloquence. It will be stopped by military force,' he said. 'And that military force has been exhibited and evident to the world since the first attack of October 5 1947. Since then, when 5,000 terrorists came. Till today, thousands of terrorists are coming till today they are being defeated,' he added. Akbar also warned about the global threat of terrorism in the name of religion. 'There will come a time in this century when the world will realise that the challenge before the world is the challenge of terrorism in the name of religion,' he stated. 'Humanity and peace are really what religion teaches, not faith. And a state which encourages or which feeds, breeds and perpetrates violence of the most barbaric and brutal kind in the name of religion doesn't belong to this century,' he added. Meanwhile, BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya said while addressing the Indian diaspora, 'We want Akhand Bharat. PoK was ours. If not today, then tomorrow it will come back to us.' At the start of the community event, the Indian diaspora observed a two-minute silence to pay tributes to people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation is currently in Berlin. During their visit, the delegation met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and several members of the German Parliament (Bundestag). The delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari, MJ Akbar, Gulam Ali Khatana, and Samik Bhattacharya; Congress MP Amar Singh, Priyanka Chaturvedi from Shiv Sena (UBT), AIADMK MP M Thambidurai and former diplomat Pankaj Saran. The delegation arrived in Germany after concluding their visit to Belgium. Earlier, Ravi Shankar Prasad said they raised strong concerns about terrorism during their visit to Brussels and generals of Pakistan 'run that country with the help of a military terrorist coalition', which is a 'threat' to democracy and humanity. The Indian Armed Forces carried out targeted strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists. India repelled subsequent Pakistani aggression and pounded its airbases. (ANI)
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
Bone-crushing Russia sanctions bill could crush US trade Politico
Washington risks isolating itself from top world economies, including key European allies, according to the outlet The passage of a new US sanctions package on Russia could disrupt America's relationships with its biggest trade partners and isolate it from the world's leading economies, Politico reported on Saturday. The proposed bill includes a steep 500% tariff on imports from any country that continues to buy oil, gas, uranium, or other key commodities from Moscow. Among those most affected would be India and China, which together account for approximately 70% of Russian energy exports. Several other nations that import Russian energy and uranium could also be subject to the bill's penalties. Imposing 500% tariffs on Chinese-made imports would likely trigger a surge in consumer prices, severely disrupt supply chains, and potentially push US unemployment to levels associated with a recession, Politico noted. The sanctions could be described as targeting the US itself since the country continues to rely on enriched uranium imports from Russia for its nuclear power sector. And it could effectively isolate the US from many of the world's leading economies, including its European allies, the article says. US Senator Rand Paul wrote in the publication Responsible Statecraft that the bill "essentially amounts to an embargo" and could trigger "economic calamity on a scale never before seen in our country." He added that such punitive measures are unlikely to change Moscow's core strategic goals and only further entrench the US in a "failing" foreign policy approach. The sanctions bill was introduced in early April by a bipartisan group of senators led by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. In addition to 500% tariffs, the measure includes secondary sanctions targeting countries that maintain commercial ties with Moscow. Graham recently proposed amendments to exempt countries providing military aid to Ukraine from the tariffs. The change would shield the EU, which continues to import gas from Russia. The senator described the bill as "one of the most draconian sanctions bills ever written" and the sanctions as "bone-crushing." Russia has consistently criticized Western sanctions, calling them illegal, and maintains that they have failed to inflict lasting economic damage. In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a total of 28,595 sanctions had been imposed on Russian companies and individuals in recent years - more than the total number on all other countries combined. According to the president, the West sought to eliminate Russia as a competitor, but its economy has only grown more resilient under pressure. (
