Rethink in Germany: revamp shelter system in case of Russian attack

[Social Media]

 

With mounting anxiety over potential Russian military aggression in the coming years, Germany is taking steps to fortify its civil defense infrastructure. Anticipating the possibility of a broader European conflict, Berlin is preparing to overhaul its decades-old shelter system to protect citizens in the event of an attack.

 

 

“For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario for which we needed to prepare,” said Ralph Tiesler, head of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, in an interview reported by The Guardian. “That has changed,” he emphasized. “We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe.”

 

 

The sense of urgency stems from growing fears that Russia, already three years into its war in Ukraine, could be capable of striking a NATO member state as early as 2029. Tiesler warned that Germany must develop a “functioning, comprehensive defense system” within that timeframe.

 

 

But building new bunkers from scratch isn’t feasible given the short window of preparation. Instead, Tiesler’s agency is devising plans to repurpose existing structures such as tunnels, subway stations, underground garages, car parks, and public building basements into bomb-proof shelters. The plan, expected to be unveiled this summer, could accommodate an estimated one million people.

 

Currently, Germany still has approximately 2,000 Cold War-era bunkers. However, fewer than 600 remain operational and even those are in dire need of renovation. These shelters could house only around 480,000 people—less than 1% of Germany’s total population.

 

In stark contrast, Finland maintains a highly developed shelter system with 50,000 bunkers capable of housing 4.8 million people, or roughly 85% of its population, according to data from Tiesler’s office.

 

To move forward, Tiesler is calling on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to fund the modernization plan, which includes not only upgrades to physical infrastructure but also improvements to civil warning systems such as emergency apps, road signs, and sirens.

 

“We don’t want to unnecessarily frighten anyone, but we must nevertheless clearly warn of the danger of a military attack,” Tiesler told the news outlet Zeit Online. The war in Ukraine has deeply shaken Europe’s security assumptions, pushing many governments to reconsider their readiness.

 

Germany is not alone in its rearmament mindset. Poland, which shares borders with both Russia and Ukraine, is taking similarly aggressive steps. According to a recent BBC report, Poland plans to allocate nearly 5% of its GDP to defense spending this year—more than any other NATO member.

 

While there is no certainty that Russia will attack another country, the preparations underway in Germany reflect a broader European shift: one that now sees the possibility of war not as remote, but as a realistic scenario requiring urgent action.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from NYP  2025-06-09

 

 

[impulse]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

Currently, Germany still has approximately 2,000 Cold War-era bunkers. However, fewer than 600 remain operational and even those are in dire need of renovation. These shelters could house only around 480,000 people—less than 1% of Germany’s total population.

 

So basically, German taxpayers will be funding shelters that the vast majority of them won't be allowed in if SHTF.