Germany Strengthens Territorial Defense with New Military Division in Response to Russian Threat

Germany Strengthens Territorial Defense with New Military Division in Response to Russian Threat

In response to the threat posed by Russia, Germany is set to establish a new military division dedicated to territorial defense. On Saturday, January 11, the German army announced that this reorganization would take effect in April, increasing the number of divisions in the army to four without expanding the total number of soldiers.

As part of the restructuring, all reserve units will be placed directly under army command. Each division will consist of about 20,000 soldiers, with the total number of personnel remaining around 180,000.

A spokesperson for the army confirmed, "Territorial defense will come under army command starting April 1, 2025," as reported by the German news agency dpa. NATO is currently on its highest alert since the Cold War, with officials, including German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, warning that a Russian attack on Germany’s borders could occur within the next four years.

This move by the German government will enhance the efficiency of territorial defense command structures, as it works to improve security against what it describes as Russian sabotage attempts on critical infrastructure. However, Russia has denied these accusations.

Currently, Germany has three divisions that NATO can deploy in case of conflict. The main role of these divisions is to defend the alliance at the front lines. The new fourth division will focus on Germany’s internal defense, including protecting vital infrastructure such as ports, railways, and supply routes.

Germany is preparing for its crucial role in any potential conflict with Russia, with thousands of NATO troops expected to be deployed through Germany to Eastern Europe after arriving at its North Sea ports.