The largest military exercise carried out in Hamburg by the Cold War is ongoing in the city, in collaboration with emergency political services, with a focus on the new type of threats.

Bundeswehr, together with the police, civil protection and fire brigade, performs a three -day exercise with Simulation of espionage, drone attack, sabotage and a large number of injuries.

The exercise Red Storm Bravo It is about education in the event that a military conflict erupts at the border of a Baltic state, and its government invokes NATO’s emergency process, which would mean that thousands of NATO soldiers would have to cross Germany on the east side.

The great military exercise by the Cold War

Following the Red Storm Alpha exercise, which took place in Hamburg in September 2024, the current exercise is the largest military movement in the region since the Cold War. In 1989, Hamburg was the second largest base of the Bundeswehr in Germany, but today neither warships nor armored vehicles are parked in the area, as almost all camps have been converted into residential areas.

The city, however, remains an important NATO logistical support hub and because of its port it could become the most important transfer point for the transportation of armed forces, military material and equipment to the east side of NATO. This is exactly the object of the exercise in which they are involved in approximately 500 soldiers, police, firefighters and rescuerswith the aim of better coordinating all services in the event of an emergency. “We want to connect security -related bodies. It is the only way to become capable of defending us nationally. It is the scenario that puts all the scenarios, “said the head of the Hamburg Curt Leonard’s administration in Der Spiegel magazine.

Since Germany has become less dependent on Russian gas, Ports have taken on an even more important role in energy supplywith LNG terminals or the production of green hydrogen. “The energy transition and a new era are happening at the same time. And Russia could want to hit both at all times. That is why the ports are located traditionally always at the forefront of conflict“, He told the leader of the Central Union of German Ports Management Florian Kaisnger and explained that German ports are not suitable for war, as reinforced walls are needed, more points suitable for heavy duty loads, cyber security and defense from drones.

“We are already in a silent war,” Mr Kazinger said.

In the same vein, Commander Leonard also said that when the exercise was planned, last December, the defense in drones was a central point in possible scenarios, “but in the meantime reality has prevented us.” He said they had repeatedly identified drones over German camps. According to German law, Bundeswehr is allowed to shoot down drones only directly over military territory, but often move so quickly that it is impossible to break down, the German officer explained, adding that in this case the nets may be more appropriate, as well as the devices. The Red Storm Bravo exercise also educates these systems as well.

Curt Leonard also pointed out that the exercise deliberately does not take place in a camp but publicly, in order to “show that something is happening here”. Hundreds of protesters, however, expressed their opposition to military exercise.

Already in the past few days, rallies from the Left Party have been held with organizations in the area, with placards that read slogans such as “NATO” and “no war exercise in our city”.