Berlin, Germany – In a move to enhance the country’s civil defense, the German government is planning a comprehensive security concept for the civilian population, as the current lack of shelters against potential missile and drone attacks is a major concern.
According to sources, the Federal Ministry of the Interior, led by Minister Alexander Dobrindt, is set to present a detailed plan to bolster the nation’s civil defense. The minister stated in an interview with “Bild am Sonntag” that the government is “arming the civilian defense.”
The new plan will focus on a national shelter concept with a significant increase in the number of available spaces, the exact figure still to be determined. Additionally, warning systems will be upgraded and the density of sirens nationwide will be increased. Many sirens were dismantled after the Cold War and in the event of a real emergency, a failure of the wireless network could render digital warning systems inoperable.
Presently, only 579 out of the original 2,000 public shelters in Germany remain, providing space for approximately 480,000 people, which is roughly 0.56% of the total population. Furthermore, the condition of the existing shelters is in part outdated. Instead of building new bunkers, the government plans to utilize existing infrastructure such as underground train stations, tunnels and underground garages as shelters, which will be accordingly refurbished.
The government has allocated more funds to support the plan, with the budget of the Federal Agency for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief set to increase from less than 200 million euros in 2024 to over 600 million euros in the following year. The funds will be used to support the fire services, train care personnel and modernize buildings, among other initiatives. The German Technical Relief Organization (THW) will also see a 60% increase in its budget, from 2024 to the following year, with the funds to be used for the modernization of buildings, the acquisition of new equipment and other purposes.