Bundeswehr in Brandenburg: Colonel Scholtka brings new strategies!

Bundeswehr in Brandenburg: Colonel Scholtka brings new strategies!

In Brandenburg there are changes that affect not only the Bundeswehr, but also civil society. Colonel Nikolas Scholtka, who has been on duty as a new commander of the state command for a good 100 days, has formulated clear goals: the military presence in the region should grow, and the soldiers are supposed to practice outside the barracks more often in the future. "We have to get out of the barracks," says Scholtka and emphasizes that the Bundeswehr will be increasingly active outdoors. This does not happen isolated, but in close cooperation with the fire brigade and technical relief organization (THW) - a step that takes into account both military and the civilian side of the defense. The current Operation Plan Germany (OPLAN AU) plays a central role in this, which is intended to ensure Germany's defense ability in the event of tension and defense. This information was made by maz-online.de

But what exactly is behind Oplan? This defense plan is an answer to the increased security policy challenges in Europe and offers an operating concept that integrates military and civil support services. The main objectives are the maintenance of state and government functions, civil protection and the emergency care of the population. Civil-military cooperation (ZMZ) is also becoming increasingly important because it is a prerequisite for the protection of citizens and the critical infrastructure. OPLOU provides for the securing of the deployment of Allied armed forces on the NATO-East flank and at the same time falls back on historical experiences, for example from the Covid 19 pandemic. Information about the OPLAN AU is according to wikipedia.de classified.

The role of civilian actors

In all the planned military changes, the role of civil organizations must not be underestimated. The ZMZ comprises the close cooperation between military and civilian bodies, especially in the event of a disaster. The central components are the support of the armed forces and the close coordination between civil authorities and the Bundeswehr, which can be decisive in critical situations. In view of geopolitical developments, such as the war of aggression in Russia against Ukraine, the need for such cooperation is becoming increasingly clear. This is also shown by the conception of civil defense (KZV) from 2016, which forms the framework for this cooperation, as on Security-network.com

The challenges for civil defense are diverse and require both strategic planning and ongoing adaptations to new threats. In the coming years, six homeland protection regiments with around 6,000 soldiers, who are supposed to play an important role in the military implementation of the OPLOU. In addition, mechanical monitoring of the infrastructure is required in order to remain capable of action even in crisis situations.

Colonel Scholtka with his ambitious plans aims to sustainably strengthen Brandenburg's defense ability. By becoming more present and intensifying cooperation with civilian institutions, a comprehensive safety network for citizens is created. The confidence in this comprehensive strategy, which relies on a strong coexistence between the military and society, could not be more important - because security is never a matter of course.