In the face of the threat posed by hybrid attacks from Russia, one of Germany’s most senior military officials is calling for more deployment options for the Bundeswehr within the country.
“We should think about expanded authorities for the Bundeswehr in the domestic sphere – even in phases like these” said Generalleutnant André Bodemann to the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”. The country needs more soldiers and better equipment, the commander of Territorial Tasks and deputy commander of the Operational Command, said.
Bodemann is also demanding that the Bundeswehr receive special authorities earlier than previously planned. Currently, the Bundeswehr can only be deployed in response to a defense alert, which must first be declared, before, for example, streets can be closed off for the military or companies can be obligated to provide logistical support to the Bundeswehr. “That’s too late in my opinion” said the general responsible for the country’s defense to “Die Zeit”.
The situation is different today than during the Cold War era: “We are still legally in a state of peace, but we must already be confronting the hybrid attacks from Russia. That requires a rethink, in my view” said the three-star general, who also acknowledged that the Bundestag alone would make the decision.