Berlin has recently unveiled a classified 1,200-page wartime playbook that details the strategic movements of approximately 800,000 German, US, and NATO troops across its territory in the event of a Russian attack on the alliance. This document, known as Operation Plan Deutschland (OPLAN DEU), signifies one of the most comprehensive defense planning initiatives undertaken by the German government since the conclusion of the Cold War.
Developed by a team of senior officers stationed at the Julius Leber Barracks in Berlin, OPLAN DEU outlines essential routes that NATO forces would need to access during a crisis. Key logistical paths highlighted include ports, rail networks, rivers, and major highways, which are critical for the rapid deployment and movement of troops.
Tim Stuchtey, a specialist from the Brandenburg Institute for Society and Security in Potsdam, emphasized the strategic necessity of such planning, particularly given the geographical challenges posed by the Alps. He noted that allied forces would need to traverse Germany to respond to any conflict, regardless of its origin.
The OPLAN DEU blueprint mandates a high level of national coordination, assigning roles across various government agencies and the civilian sector. This approach requires a unified effort among military, police, hospitals, transport companies, port operators, and rail providers to ensure smooth operations in crisis scenarios.
To facilitate this comprehensive plan, Berlin anticipates significant infrastructure investments, estimating that approximately one-fifth of its motorways and over a quarter of its bridges will require renovations. Additionally, ports along the North Sea and Baltic Sea need upgrades amounting to around 15 billion euros ($17.3 billion) to bolster readiness.
A senior officer from the German Armed Forces who participated in drafting OPLAN DEU articulated the overarching goal of the strategy: to deter adversaries by demonstrating that any attack would be met with a formidable response, thereby preventing war.
Concerns regarding potential threats have escalated, with German intelligence assessing that Russia could rebuild its military capabilities from its ongoing conflict with Ukraine and pose a threat to NATO by 2029. However, indications of increasing espionage and infrastructure attacks raise the prospect of a more imminent threat.
Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, who oversees large-scale planning and execution for the German military, warned about the potential for a small-scale Russian attack on NATO territory. He acknowledged that while Russian ground forces are experiencing losses, the Kremlin is reportedly aiming to increase its troop strength to 1.5 million soldiers. With sufficient main battle tanks available, he suggested that a limited attack could become a reality at any moment.
