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Bundeswehr stops civilian use: 200 military locations remain!
The Defense Ministry is stopping the conversion of 200 military sites in order to expand the Bundeswehr.
Bundeswehr stops civilian use: 200 military locations remain!
In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Defense announced that it would stop converting around 200 former and active military sites into civilian use. This measure, which was communicated on October 28, 2025, results from the growing need for space due to the planned expansion of the Bundeswehr. Among the properties affected are 187 former locations owned by the Federal Real Estate Agency and 13 active properties that are intended to be available for short-term military purposes, such as mdr.de reported.
With this decision, the Defense Minister has temporarily suspended the conversion of military-used properties for civilian purposes. This is not happening without reason: the areas are intended to become part of a “strategic property reserve” and will therefore be available to the Bundeswehr more quickly. Not only well-known locations such as Tegel Airport in Berlin or the air base in Fürstenfeldbruck end up in this reserve, but also the Pushkin Barracks and other properties in Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony.
Affected properties at a glance
- Bayern: Fliegerhorst Erding, Fliegerhorst Fürstenfeldbruck, Sonthofen (Grünten-Kaserne und Jäger-Kaserne)
- Berlin: Flughafen Tegel
- Niedersachsen: Ebkeriege-Kaserne in Wilhelmshaven
- Nordrhein-Westfalen: Luftwaffeninstandhaltungsgruppe 23 in Mechernich
- Rheinland-Pfalz: Dienstgebäude in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler
- Schleswig-Holstein: Meierwik-Kaserne in Glücksburg
No properties are affected in Thuringia, while the decision also has an impact in other federal states such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate. Two Bundeswehr locations there are no longer available for civilian use. Nils Hilmer, State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense, points out the possible conflicts with states and communities that would arise from stopping the conversion. “We are aware of the existing plans for civilian use,” said Hilmer, who emphasized that discussions about combining military and civilian interests are sought.
Historical context and outlook
The conversion of properties used for military purposes began in the early 1990s, when the Bundeswehr announced a reduction in locations as a result of the end of the Cold War. In recent years, efforts to use former military sites for civil purposes increased until current developments abruptly stopped the process. The authorities are now planning to bring the existing municipal usage plans into line with the needs of the Bundeswehr, because without close cooperation, a lot could fall by the wayside tagesschau.de determines.
It remains to be seen how this decision will affect municipal planning and whether solutions can be developed to maintain civilian use. The discussions have begun, and those responsible are faced with the challenge of reconciling the needs of the Bundeswehr with local interests - a balancing act that requires sensitivity.