For its planned expansion, the Bundeswehr requires additional properties, particularly to expand the training capacities of the New Military Service. The Federal Ministry of Defence, according to a statement issued yesterday (Thursday), has now selected eight properties that, due to their location, infrastructure and capacities, are particularly well suited for the New Military Service. These are:
- the former Rantzau Barracks in Boostedt (Schleswig-Holstein),
- the former Hinrich-Wilhelm-Kopf Barracks in Cuxhaven (Lower Saxony),
- the former Kurpfalz Barracks in Speyer (Rhineland-Palatinate),
- the former Unteroffizier-Krüger Barracks including the former Site Training Area (StOÜbPl) in Kusel (Rhineland-Palatinate),
- the former Kanaal-van-Wessem Barracks in Soest (North Rhine-Westphalia),
- the former Joint Headquarters (HQ) NATO Headquarters with the former Wegberg Military Complex as StOÜbPl in Mönchengladbach (North Rhine-Westphalia).
- the former Graf-Stauffenberg Barracks including the former StOÜbPl in Sigmaringen (Baden-Württemberg),
- the former Ray Barracks including the former U.S. training area Ockstadt as StOÜbPl in Friedberg (Hesse).
A final decision on the reactivation and use of these properties has, however, not yet been made at this time.
The Interests of the New Military Service Against Other Interests
For these properties, the plans for the most rapid possible reactivation and use by the Bundeswehr are now entering the next phase, according to the announcement. In the process, the possibilities and challenges of a future use of these properties by the Bundeswehr will be discussed in detail on site with all relevant stakeholders. Together with those involved at federal, state, and municipal levels, the military considerations for the successful implementation of the New Military Service and the possible interests of the affected states, regions, and municipalities will be reconciled.
From the security policy situation, the derived NATO defense plans and additional national necessities (including the Germany Hub and Operations Plan Germany) arise significant personnel, material and, subsequently, infrastructural needs for the Bundeswehr. For this reason, in October 2025 the Federal Ministry of Defence suspended the conversion of military-used properties into civilian reuse (conversion). A total of 200 properties were placed in the so-called moratorium and examined for their potential suitability for possible military use.
The Review Process Is to Be Completed by the End of 2026
In the current year, 27 additional properties were added from the portfolio of the Federal Agency for Real Estate Tasks (BImA). During the entire review process, the Bundeswehr states that it remains in close contact with the affected states and municipalities. In the so-called site dialogues and site talks, efforts will be made to find mutually agreeable solutions for the future use of the affected areas and properties. No property will be transferred into the Strategic Property Reserve without prior detailed, case-by-case discussions having taken place.
According to the Bundeswehr, 40 properties have already been released for conversion. Currently, 187 properties are in further review (174 properties from the BImA portfolio and 13 properties that were not taken out of use despite earlier decisions). So far, no property has been transferred into the so-called Strategic Property Reserve. The aim is to provide clarity for the affected municipalities as quickly as possible. Therefore, the review process of the properties is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
