Economy plays an important role
This is how Germany should become capable of war
Updated 11/20/2024 – 3:36 p.mReading time: 3 min.
What does it mean for German companies if there is war in Germany? The Bundeswehr has drawn up proposals in a secret paper.
Germany is preparing for an emergency. The Bundeswehr has drawn up a first version of a 1,000-page paper, the “Operations Plan for Germany”. According to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (FAZ), it describes how the country should act if it is more directly affected by a war than by the attack on Ukraine.
The Bundeswehr warns: Russia could be willing and able to advance further west in four to five years. Lieutenant Colonel Jörn Plischke explained this at an event at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, which the “FAZ” also reported on. He relies on German intelligence services.
Russia is massively rearming: While it currently produces 25 main battle tanks per month, Germany only builds three per year. The army is already observing increased drone overflights, cyber attacks and acts
When there is war in the East, Germany lacks personnel
In general, critical infrastructure such as bridges, ports and power grids should be protected. It is also clear that if there is a case of defense or if there is a deterrence response to a Russian maneuver on NATO’s eastern flank, Germany will become a hub for soldiers, weapons, war materials and medicine.
The economy in particular should arm itself. According to the report, Lieutenant Colonel Plischke calls on companies to prepare for crisis scenarios. They should develop emergency plans, have their own generators or wind turbines ready for power outages and make their employees more aware of safety issues.
The Bundeswehr’s plans go into deep detail. Plischke advises companies to train more truck drivers. The reason: A majority of the drivers come from Eastern Europe. “If there is war there, where will these people be?”
The state has extensive rights in cases of crisis. The gas supply crisis has already shown how quickly politicians can intervene: At that time, the federal government, among other things, legally refilled gas storage facilities, nationalized the gas importer Uniper and procured floating LNG terminals.
In an emergency, according to the report, a switch to a planned economy would even be possible, reports the “FAZ” with reference to statements by Bertram Brossardt, general manager of the Bavarian Business Association. The government could also issue food stamps – and even force people to work in certain sectors, such as water supply or transport.
The following also applies to companies: Anyone who has employees today who work voluntarily in disaster control, the THW or the fire department will have advantages later. “It costs you a few days a year to support this,” says Plischke. In a crisis, you then have a direct link to the people who protect people and infrastructure.
The Hamburg Senate has therefore created additional positions to strengthen civil protection. A third homeland security company made up of volunteers was put into service who do not fight in the troops, but rather work towards protection and security.
Exercises with the Bundeswehr and civilian forces are now taking place in the Hanseatic city. One such exercise, called “Red Storm Alpha,” is training to protect port facilities, the report said. The next exercise, “Red Storm Bravo,” will follow soon and will be bigger.
Experiences from such exercises are then incorporated into the “Organizational Plan for Germany”. It is intended to be a “living document” that is constantly evolving and adapting to new information and threats.
What types of training programs are most effective for preparing employees for emergency scenarios?
Or similar sectors must ensure that their workers are trained and ready to respond swiftly in emergencies. Training programs and simulations can help prepare employees for various scenarios, ensuring a state of readiness that can be critical during crises.
Moreover, companies should develop strong communication strategies to maintain contact with employees, stakeholders, and emergency services during a crisis. This includes having robust digital infrastructure that can withstand cyber threats, which have become more prevalent.
the military’s cooperation with the business sector is essential in creating a resilient economy capable of withstanding wartime conditions. A partnership that fosters information sharing, resource allocation, and strategic planning will be vital in ensuring Germany’s preparedness in the face of evolving threats.