Recently, we in Russia have been increasingly often hearing about incumbent German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s (SPD) all but "heroic" resistance to systematic demands by high-ranking Russophobes from the CDU or FDP and others to start providing Kiev with long-range Taurus cruise missiles. He's said to have been firmly holding his ground. And everyone seems to have forgotten about the list of German weapons already flowing to the Armed Forces of Ukraine such as Leopard tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, combat helicopters, self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, shells and mines, along with other equipment and ammunition. We have frequently heard the term "deep state" as regards the United States, but something of the kind turns out to exist in Germany as well.
For some reason, statements by most popular German politician, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, about the need to "make the Bundeswehr ready for war by 2029," have been eventually forgotten. For war with whom? With Russia, of course. Yes, public consciousness here at home may have really let this out of sight, but not at state structures of Germany. Indeed, back in January this year, Lieutenant General Andre Bodemann told the local news agency DPA terms about the secret concept Operational Plan Germany (OPLAN) on "protection against Russia’s aggressive intentions", which had been underway for a year already.
The general said back then that "for the first time since the end of the Cold War, a comprehensive national defense plan is being developed again," and its details are coordinated "with the police, civil protection agencies and emergency services, logistics and energy industries, as well as allies." Herr Bodemann admitted at the time that things in Europe had changed in 30 years, and Germany was "no longer a front-line state" of NATO but rather one in the rear. Therefore, he does not expect "tank battles and Russian paratrooper landings" in his country’s territory but deems as endangered "the critical infrastructure, ports, bridges, and energy facilities, where sabotage arranged by the special services of the Russian Federation is feasible."
Apart from that, the general talks about threats of spreading fake news and various kinds of disinformation by the "enemy", attempts to factor into government decisions, media stance and people’s mindset, along with cyber-attacks on energy facilities and telecommunications. Andre Bodemann's concerns also relate to the fact that "significant NATO forces will be diverted to protect the alliance’s eastern flank," and in this regard, Germany should take care of its own security. He also recalls that Germany must ensure the smooth movement of military and other allied cargo through its territory, as well as mobilize the capacity of all the civil construction, transport and logistics companies in the interests of the Bundeswehr, including trucks and bulldozers.
A piece that appeared a few days ago in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung broadsheet titled "German army warning companies of war with Russia" indicates that the OPLAN strategic concept is functioning as we speak. Despite all the confusion throughout the German party and political landscape, and preparations for an early Bundestag election set for February 23, 2025. No matter what Chancellor Scholz declares, the German "deep state" is consistently preparing for war against Russia. Do not forget the aggressive statements by Friedrich Merz (CDU), the key candidate to replace him at the top.
Judging by the thousand-page OPLAN, the Bundeswehr is already in contact with many critical infrastructure companies that are "subject to protection" in case of a Russian attack, FAZ writes. The newspaper draws special attention to the fact that Germany "will become a transshipment point for tens or maybe hundreds of thousands of soldiers, ammunition, food and medicines" to defend the eastern flank of NATO from the Russian Federation.
In this regard, Die Welt newspaper directly writes that the Bundeswehr has started training civilian firms as per Operational Plan Germany if "war becomes more specific for Germany than Russia's aggression against Ukraine." Thus, the first event was hosted by the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with military experts of the Bundeswehr having appealed to the companies proper. For example, Lieutenant Colonel Jörn Plischke advised that the audience "train at least five truck drivers for every hundred employees, even if you don't need them now."
The military man reinforced his advice with saying that "70 percent of truck drivers in Germany are currently citizens of Eastern Europe." "If a war starts there, where will all these people end up?" the Bundeswehr representative went on to wonder thoughtfully. Also, he told company owners to develop "a specific plan for what each of the company's employees should be doing" in case of war, and to stipulate purchasing wind turbines and diesel generators to meet their electricity needs.
Malte Heine of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce has highly appreciated the venue’s magnitude: "We must strengthen awareness of how important it is to make the economy well-prepared to protect Germany both civically and militarily." Similar meetings and talks are going to be held in all the country’s lands, FAZ claims.
