In case of war, massive troop movements are planned over A2
**What if Putin attacks a NATO country? For the case of a possible escalation at the NATO eastern flank, the Federal Government and Bundeswehr are planning the deployment of hundreds of thousands of soldiers from NATO member states through Germany. This was confirmed to "Spiegel" by informed sources. Above all, the A2 would be crucial as a west-east axis and could therefore become a target at certain choke points such as bridges.
In the event of a possible Russian aggression that calls the NATO into action, it would be possible to move around 800,000 soldiers with about 200,000 vehicles from North Sea ports in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany to the east within three to six months. The column would be about 13,000 kilometers long. The preparations are part of the secretly designated Operationsplan Deutschland, which the Bundeswehr has developed to make Germany militarily capable.
"During their passage, the soldiers would have to be supplied and accommodated, and their technology would require energy and infrastructure," said Ralph Tiesler, President of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) to "Spiegel". It must be calculated that "targeted disruptions will occur on troop movements". Therefore, there should be stoppages of at least 300 to 500 kilometers and alternative routes calculated.
The situation has changed, as recently emphasized by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser. Bundeswehr General Inspector Carsten Breuer also warned that Russia could turn against NATO countries around 2029. Therefore, deterrence is crucial. "The Russian armed forces are planning an increase to 1.5 million soldiers, which is more than in the entire EU."
In May, the Bundeswehr demonstrated its resolve to deter and defend within the NATO alliance with the multi-month exercise Quadriga 2024 in Lithuania. "Quadriga is our part, it is our collective response to the dramatically increasing threat from Russia," said Germany's highest-ranking officer at the time. It was the largest exercise of the Bundeswehr since decades and part of the NATO exercise "Steadfast Defender".**
In such a scenario where Putin escalates and attacks a NATO country, the collective response from federal military forces, including those from NATO member states, becomes crucial. NATO politics would heavily influence the strategic deployment of around 800,000 soldiers and 200,000 vehicles along the A2, with potential choke points like bridges at risk.
