Germany prepares for war, planning Bunkers for civilians

(MENAFN) Germany is speeding up efforts to enhance and modernize its civil defense facilities amid growing military build-up by NATO allies in Europe, driven by concerns over a potential direct clash with Russia, according to Ralph Tiesler, head of the country’s Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK).

Currently, Germany’s network of 580 shelters can house roughly 480,000 people—less than one percent of the nation’s population. To close this gap, Tiesler revealed plans to transform underground garages, subway tunnels, and public basement spaces into emergency shelters capable of protecting up to one million individuals. These sites would be equipped with necessities such as food supplies, sanitation facilities, and sleeping quarters.

“New bunkers with the highest protection standards cost a lot of money and take time. We need faster solutions,” Tiesler explained in an interview, adding that a comprehensive national shelter strategy is slated for release later this summer.

In a separate discussion, he emphasized that “nearly every basement can become a safe place in the event of an attack,” urging citizens to fortify windows, gather essential supplies, and prepare for prolonged sheltering.

While dismissing the likelihood of a Russian armored invasion of Berlin, Tiesler cautioned that Germany’s role as a key NATO logistics hub could expose it to targeted strikes if conflict erupts along the eastern front.

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