Report: Germany to invest billions in civil defence

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the government plans to significantly expand civil defence and population protection capacities in response to security threats.

"We are strengthening population protection and civil defence," Dobrindt told the Bild newspaper in comments published on Monday, adding that Germany was taking a firmer stance against hybrid threats and increasing support for volunteer emergency workers.

Military and civilian defence structures would be more closely integrated to improve security and resilience, he said.

Bild, citing a Cabinet draft, reported that the government was preparing a special programme worth €10 billion ($11.6 billion). The funds would be used for additional equipment, buildings, personnel and technology, including for the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW).

According to the report, Germany plans to procure 1,000 new specialized vehicles and 110,000 field beds by 2029.