Germany is racing to finalise a secret wartime plan that would move hundreds of thousands of NATO troops across its territory if Russia attacks, the Wall Street Journal reports.
The blueprint, known as Operation Plan Germany, sets out how allied soldiers, vehicles and supplies would move by road, rail and river toward NATO’s eastern flank.
Drafted after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the plan has grown to more than 1,200 pages and maps out transit routes, logistics hubs and civilian support roles.
German officials told the WSJ that the country must function as NATO’s main corridor, despite years of underinvestment that weakened transport networks and slowed military mobility.
Hamburg drill exposed weak bridges, overwhelmed ports, convoys stuck in traffic
Recent drills reveal the scale of the challenge. In Hamburg, a convoy exercise was stalled for hours when mock protesters blocked access roads.
Drone sightings created further delays, while long vehicle lines broke up in normal traffic. Other tests showed weak bridges, limited rail capacity and ports struggling to handle heavy armor.
Russian-linked sabotage shut key munitions rail route for weeks in 2024
Sabotage concerns add pressure. German authorities have seen more attempts to disrupt rail lines and energy sites, some tied to Russian-linked actors.
A 2024 incident that shut a key munitions rail route for weeks exposed how a single break can halt reinforcement plans.
Military convoys still need civilian agency approval - slowing response times
The WSJ notes that legal and bureaucratic hurdles remain. Military movements often require advance approval from civilian agencies, slowing response times.
Regional governments and police forces must also coordinate protection for convoys - something not practiced at scale for decades.
€160 billion in upgrades planned, but staffing shortages and red tape persist
Berlin is trying to close the gap. Rail and road upgrades worth more than €160 billion are scheduled through 2029, and the government is drafting new emergency protocols to speed authorisations. But officers quoted by the WSJ warn that rules on transport safety, procurement delays and staffing shortages still threaten rapid deployment.
German officials say the effort is aimed at deterrence, not escalation. Yet planners argue that Europe’s security will depend on whether Germany can move forces quickly during a crisis - and whether those routes remain open when they are needed most.
