Germany plans to repurpose public buildings for civilian bomb shelters amid shortage

The German government is developing a plan to increase the availability of bomb shelters for the civilian population by repurposing public buildings and private properties.

The country currently faces a severe shortage of public bomb shelters, with only 579 available nationwide, which can accommodate fewer than 500,000 people in a country with a population of 83 million, Caliber.Az reports via German media.

One of the reasons for this shortage is the policy over the past 17 years, during which many shelters were dismantled as it was believed there would be no future need for them.

Ralf Tiesler, head of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK), estimates that building a new network of bunkers will take significant time. In response to this, the BBK, in collaboration with state authorities, is working on a national plan to expand the bomb shelter network.

This plan includes repurposing a wide range of public buildings—such as metro stations, municipal service centres, and administrative offices—as protective shelters. Private homes will also be considered for conversion into safe spaces.

The government aims to encourage citizens to create fortified areas in their private properties, particularly by converting garages or basements for these purposes. Additionally, a special mobile app will be developed to show users the location of the nearest shelter in the event of an air raid alert.

In recent development, German intelligence officials have raised alarms about the increasing threat of espionage and sabotage linked to Moscow, warning of a possible direct military confrontation with NATO as early as 2030.

During their annual hearing on October 14, the heads of Germany’s intelligence services outlined a worsening security situation, citing heightened Russian interference in Germany and Europe, particularly amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. 

The Federal Intelligence Service (BfV) reported a surge in Russian espionage, including sabotage attempts and disinformation campaigns. Thomas Haldenwang, head of BfV, described the threat as a "real hurricane," warning of Russian actions spreading westward from the Baltic States and Poland.

Bruno Kahl, head of the BND, stated that Germany is now directly engaged in conflict with Russia, with Moscow seeking information on military aid to Ukraine and fostering insecurity. The German military counterintelligence service (BAMAD) also reported a significant rise in espionage targeting the German military.

By Aghakazim Guliyev