Germany is working on and has already begun implementing a highly classified 1,200-page operational plan, “Operational Plan Germany” (OPLAN DEU), which outlines how the country will function as a central hub in the event of a military conflict with Russia. The plan предусматри, among other things, the movement of up to 800,000 soldiers from Germany, the US and other NATO countries to the Alliance’s eastern borders.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, about two and a half years ago twelve senior German officers gathered at a military complex in Berlin to begin drafting the plan — a process that unfolded secretly within the facilities of the Julius Leber barracks. Today, those same officers are racing to implement it.

Troop movements, infrastructure and a return to “Cold War” logic
OPLAN DEU details how massive military forces would be transported via ports, rivers, railways and road networks, as well as how they would be protected and supplied along the way. The plan is based on a “whole-of-society” approach, meaning the full involvement of both state and non-state actors.

Germany is thus reverting to a mindset reminiscent of the Cold War era — but adapted to new threats such as drones, cyberattacks, possible sabotage and the weaknesses of modern German infrastructure.

Assessment of a possible Russian attack in 2029 – but signs of a more immediate threat
German officials estimate that Russia could be “ready and willing” to attack a NATO country by 2029. However, a series of incidents in Europe — espionage, attempted sabotage and airspace violations — which Western intelligence services attribute to Moscow, indicate the possibility of a more imminent danger.

Analysts also believe that a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, currently being pushed by the US, could allow Russia to reallocate resources and accelerate its preparations against NATO countries.

“The goal is to deter war by making it clear that anyone who attacks us will not succeed,” said one of the original authors of the plan, a senior German officer.

€166 billion investments in infrastructure – Germany’s critical role as a transit hub
Berlin plans to invest €166 billion by 2029 to upgrade its infrastructure, more than €100 billion of which will go to the railway network. Priority is given to “dual-use” infrastructure, meaning civilian facilities that can also serve military needs.

In the event of a conflict, Germany would not be a frontline country, but the main “platform” through which allied forces would move toward Eastern Europe.

Legal gaps, sabotage and cyberattacks
The authors of the plan identified significant peacetime problems: inadequate legal framework for dealing with sabotage, restrictions on troop movement, and major shortcomings in critical infrastructure.

Recent readiness tests have shown that further coordination is required to fully align the plan with reality.

Quiet preparation and political framework
While the Merz government has announced a €500 billion defense spending program and the return of compulsory military service, the German army continues to work behind the scenes, having already trained hospitals, police and civil protection services and agreed on routes for military convoys.

The chancellor recently stressed that “we are not at war, but we no longer live in peacetime,” describing the new period of heightened alertness.