In images taken from Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, it is common to see people taking refuge from bombs in the underground facilities offered by metro stations. However, this is precisely what Germany plans to do if it comes under attack. For the first time since the Cold War, the country has updated its plans in case of war, with measures including compulsory military service or ration cards. All due to the growing tension between Russia and NATO.

The news came after the German Council of Ministers where new guidelines were approved to strengthen military and civil defense with a clear description of the measures and necessary structures that include a distribution of functions and responsibilities to guarantee the independence and sovereignty of Germany in the face of possible crises and conflicts.

The German Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius, alluded in a statement to the current aggravated situation of threats, both in cyberspace and with drones over compounds of the ‘Bundeswehr’ – the German armed forces -, disinformation campaigns and classic sabotage. Pistorius stressed the importance of responding to these threats together from all spheres, for which the relevant ministries They maintain a close permanent dialogue.

“The global defense of Germany is a task to which we must all contribute, both state and civil institutions like each of us. We need a resilient society that can face challenges,” said Chancellor Defense Minister Olaf Scholz.

Pistorius appreciated the valuable contributions which many people already do from organizations such as the Technical Help Service (THW), the German Red Cross (DRK) or the Army reservists. Regarding the military contribution to the country’s overall defense, Pistorius referred to the operational plan developed with experts from all areas of the ‘Bundeswehr’ in a joint planning group formed by the federal government, the federal states and the authorities. as well as emergency services and the private sector.

“This plan establishes who should take on what task in each crisis scenario. We are currently coordinating this plan at all relevant political and social levels,” Pistorius summarized. The head of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, highlighted that with the new framework guidelines for global defense (RRGV), which update those of 1989, the government is committed to an “integrated security” in which all levels of government must collaborate closely and military and civil defense remain closely interconnected.

“We have a security situation completely different since the Russian aggressionespecially for our eastern partners in the EU and NATO, such as in the Baltic countries, but also for us as a result of hybrid threats such as cyberattacks, espionage and disinformation,” he noted.

Therefore, “in addition to all the protection measures adopted by our security authorities and military deterrence and defense, we must further strengthen civil protection,” he added. Among the new features of the updated guidelines, the changing role of Germany as a NATO ally having gone from being a frontline State to becoming “the nerve center of the Allied armed forces in the heart of Europe.”

In this way, according to the ministerial statement, measures of civil support for the ‘Bundeswehr’ in emergency situations are now also extended to the allied armed forces.

During the same day, Pistorius made a call to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces Germans so that they are prepared for an eventual war in 2029. “We must be prepared for war in 2029,” emphasized the Social Democrat during the Government control session in the Lower House of the German Parliament. “We must act as a deterrent to prevent the worst from happening,” Pistorius insisted.

For this, finances, materials and personnel are essential. “In case of emergency we need young men and women who can defend this country,” she stated while considering it necessary “a new form of military service”, that “cannot be completely free of obligations”, that is, it cannot be completely voluntary. In Germany, conscription was suspended in 2011, but Pistorius has promised to present proposals for its possible reintroduction, at least partially.

The Defense Minister also reiterated that will not send soldiers to Ukraine, to the question of the deputy of the far-right Afd party Rüdiger Lucassen about the French Government’s considerations regarding the sending of French instructors to that country. “The answers to his questions are no and no,” Pistorius stressed.