Bunker fever: bomb shelters become a booming business in Germany

War as a business: the bunker market is growing in Germany
War has once again occupied space in the imagination of Germans - and it also moves a market that seemed to belong to the past. Amid the geopolitical tensions caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the demand for private bunkers and underground protection systems is growing in Germany.
The movement reflects a change in perception in a country marked by memories of the Second World War and the Cold War. While the government discusses the reactivation of old public shelters, specialized companies record a significant increase in sales of bunkers for private use.
According to the director of one of the largest manufacturers in the sector, before the war in Ukraine the company sold between 50 and 70 bunkers per year. Today, the average reaches 200 units annually. The catalog includes everything from family shelters to models aimed at those who want to maintain their professional activities even in extreme situations.
One of the most sought after products is the so-called "Safe Office", an office bunker installed underground, designed to offer protection against explosions and even radiation. The price can reach around R$800,000.
Companies in the sector reject the idea that they profit from fear. For manufacturers, purchasing a bunker follows the same logic as home insurance or safety equipment used on a daily basis.
"A lot of people ask me if I sell security or fear. I have no problem with that question. We do home insurance, health insurance. Someone needs to sell bunkers in this country", says a businessman in the sector.
Bunker fever: bomb shelters are a booming business in Germany
Reproduction/TV Globo
Bunker built in home
Christian, a resident of Bavaria, decided to build his own bunker during construction work on the family's new residence.
With the help of friends and his 13-year-old son, he invested around 45 thousand euros - approximately R$270 thousand - in an underground shelter equipped with beds, kitchen, bathroom, dining table and emergency supplies. On site, he also keeps military equipment, such as gas masks, radiation meters and bulletproof vests.
Former military personnel, Christian says that the decision was influenced by news about the war in Ukraine and memories of the Cold War.
"At first, my wife thought I was crazy, but over time, following the news, she changed her opinion", he reports.
Bunker fever: bomb shelters are a booming business in Germany
Reproduction/TV Globo
Country wants to expand protection
The concern is not restricted to citizens. Germany currently has 579 public shelters with capacity for around 480,000 people, less than 1% of the population. None of them are currently operational.
Faced with the new scenario of insecurity in Europe, the German government plans to reactivate part of this structure, in addition to modernizing emergency systems and strengthening the Armed Forces. The goal is to recruit 80,000 new soldiers by 2035. The Minister of Defense has already declared that the country needs to be prepared for a possible conflict.
Bunker fever: bomb shelters become a booming business in Germany
Reproduction/TV Globo
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Source: G1

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