The Bundeswehr has suspended the conversion of unused military properties into civilian areas. The Defense Ministry justifies this with the need for more infrastructure to expand the armed forces amid the security situation. Around 200 properties are affected and will now be transferred to a strategic reserve.
The conversion of military-used properties for civilian purposes, which began over 30 years ago, has now been suspended. The Defense Ministry states this is necessary due to the planned expansion of the armed forces, which requires increased property needs. The recently unused military properties are "generally suitable for use by the Bundeswehr".
State Secretary Nils Hilmer, responsible for infrastructure, emphasized: "We are very aware of the implications of the decision and know that in many cases plans already exist to use the affected areas for civilian purposes." Nevertheless, the growth of the Bundeswehr "due to the threat situation is not only imperative in the context of national and alliance defense, but also offers structural political opportunities for our municipalities and states".
The halt affects initially 187 former military properties owned by the Federal Agency for Real Estate Tasks, plus another 13 that the Bundeswehr still operates and will now not decommission. Examples include the former airbase in Fürstenfeldbruck in Bavaria and parts of Tegel Airport in Berlin. All these properties will be added to the "strategic property reserve of the Bundeswehr", which includes assets that could be used militarily with high probability in the coming years. This is intended to enable short-term solutions for infrastructure needs.
The ministry is coordinating with affected states and municipalities. Hilmer stated: "Wherever possible, we will try to consider existing civilian planning." In cases with urgent conversion interests, talks are being held to balance military requirements and communal interests.
The conversion process began in the early 1990s after the end of the Cold War, when the Bundeswehr was downsized, and was continued in the 2010s following the suspension of conscription.