Germany has announced plans to establish a new military division dedicated to territorial defense, as tensions in Europe reach their highest levels since the Cold War.
“The territorial defense will be put under army command from April 1, 2025,” an army spokesperson confirmed, adding that the division will incorporate all existing reserve units for a total strength of at least 20,000 troops.
Currently, Germany maintains three divisions, which can be called upon by NATO to defend the alliance in case of conflict.
However, the new division will focus exclusively on protecting the country’s critical infrastructure, including ports, railways, and supply routes.
Despite the addition of the new division, Berlin will retain its current troop numbers of 180,000 soldiers.
Rising Tensions
Germany has ramped up its defense spending amid concerns that Russia may target a NATO member if it emerges victorious in Ukraine.
Berlin has been a major contributor of military aid to Kyiv, committing around 28 billion euros ($28.6 billion) in weapons and equipment.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has previously warned that Moscow could potentially wage a war against NATO by 2029.
“We should be prepared for the fact that in the coming years, Putin might try to test NATO cohesion by invading some part of the alliance’s territory,” he said.
Last week, the German Parliament approved a 65-million-euro ($68 million) purchase of five Israeli-made PULS rocket artillery systems to strengthen its defense capabilities.
Additionally, more than 20 billion euros ($20.7 billion) in new defense equipment, including four submarines, has been authorized recently for the German military.
