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New York Post
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Germany plans to revamp shelter system in case of Russian attack by 2029: ‘We are concerned about the risk of a major war'
Fearing Russia could attack another European country within the next four years, Germany is planning to expand its network of bomb-proof bunkers and shelters, according to reports. 'For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario for which we needed to prepare,' Ralph Tiesler, the head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, said in a recent interview as reported by The Guardian. 'That has changed,' Tiesler said. 'We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe.' Advertisement 4 Germany's civil protection agency chief is warning that the country is not prepared for a Russian attack. Fears are mounting that the Kremlin — following its three-year war in Ukraine — could be capable of attacking a NATO country by 2029, so Germany must 'muster a functioning, comprehensive defense system by then,' Tiesler said. And time is of the essence. Germany cannot rely on building new bunker facilities in time so Tiesler's agency is working on plans to transform tunnels, metro stations, underground garages, car parks and the basements of public buildings into shelters. Advertisement To be presented this summer, they would create shelter for 1 million people, he estimated. The country has about 2,000 bunkers left over from the Cold War but fewer than 600 are in working order and most will require pricey renovations, Tiesler explained. Plus, those would only shelter about 480,000, less than 1% of the German population. 4 Germany's Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance is working on plans to transform metro stations and tunnels into shelters. 4 Germany's existing bunkers are nearly 80 years old and in need of renovations. Advertisement Finland, on the other hand, has 50,000 bunkers that could hold 4.8 million people, or 85% of its population, according to Tiesler's office. The agency leader is urging German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to fund the plans, as well as efforts to revamp apps, road signs and siren systems that would be used if residents need to take shelter. 'We don't want to unnecessarily frighten anyone, but we must nevertheless clearly warn of the danger of a military attack,' Tiesler told news site Zeit Online. 4 Russia's brutal war in Ukraine has caused fears in other European countries. AP Advertisement Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sparked similar concerns across Europe, motivating some countries to begin defense preparations. Poland, which borders Russia and Ukraine, plans to spend almost 5% of GDP on defense this year, the more than any of its NATO partners, the BBC reported last month.
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First Post
a day ago
- Politics
- First Post
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
