Media: Americans massively buying bomb shelters fearing nuclear threats

The United States has seen an increase in demand for bunkers and bomb shelters due to concerns about potential nuclear threats, Caliber.Az reports, citing AP.

According to a market research report from BlueWeave Consulting, the market for U.S. bomb and fallout shelters is forecast to grow from $137 million last year to $175 million by 2030. The report says major growth factors include “the rising threat of nuclear or terrorist attacks or civil unrest.”

“People are uneasy and they want a safe place to put their family. And they have this attitude that it’s better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it,” said Atlas Survival Shelters CEO Ron Hubbard.

Hubbard said COVID lockdowns, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war have driven sales.

On November 21, in the hours after Russia’s first-ever use of an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile, Oreshnik, to attack a military site in Ukraine’s Dnipro, Hubbard said his phone rang nonstop. Four callers ended up buying bunkers in one day, he said, and more ended up ordering doors and other parts for shelters they were already building.

To recap, global security concerns and surging nuclear weapons spending have prompted a rise in private bunker sales. Critics argue these bunkers create a false sense of survivability in nuclear warfare, diverting attention from the critical need to prevent the proliferation of weapons. Government experts suggest bunkers are unnecessary and emphasize that existing structures can offer adequate protection from radioactive fallout.

The Oreshnik missile, capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 10, is designed to evade current Western missile defence systems, raising fears about the effectiveness of existing protective measures. In response, many individuals are investing in nuclear bunkers, seeking enhanced security against potential attacks.

However, experts caution that while these bunkers may offer temporary shelter, they do not provide comprehensive protection against the long-term consequences of nuclear warfare. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) advises that robust existing structures are preferable for protection, and emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict through diplomatic means.

Generally, the deployment of the Oreshnik missile has intensified public apprehension, leading to increased bunker purchases. Nonetheless, experts advise that such measures should be considered as part of a broader strategy that includes diplomatic efforts to mitigate the underlying threats.

By Khagan Isayev