Bundeswehr deepens plans for reactivation of former sites – Rantzau Barracks in Boostedt in focus

For the named sites, the plans for a 'möglichst rasche Reaktivierung und Nutzung durch die Bundeswehr' are now moving into the next phase, according to the Federal Ministry of Defence. This also brings the former Rantzau Barracks in Boostedt in the Segeberg district more sharply into focus. The Rantzau Barracks could soon house soldiers again.

Decision in Boostedt still open

Whether the Bundeswehr will actually return to Boostedt, however, has not yet been finally decided. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice emphasized that the review and decision-making processes have not yet been completed. 'Weitere Informationen gäbe es zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt nicht', the spokesperson stated.

Halt to conversion and expanded review

The background is a strategic shift in the handling of former military sites. Due to the security policy situation and the significantly greater needs of the Bundeswehr, the Federal Ministry of Defence halted conversion last year – that is, the transformation of military sites into civilian ones. A review was subsequently carried out for 200 properties to determine whether they could be used militarily. This year, 27 more were added.

It is already clear that 40 sites in Germany are not suitable. Among them are eight properties in Schleswig-Holstein. In Schleswig-Holstein, 13 additional sites are currently still being reviewed to determine whether they could be used by the Bundeswehr in the future. These include an undeveloped area in Flensburg, the former Uetersen airfield in the Pinneberg district, former Bundeswehr Technical Schools in Kiel, as well as the southern part of the former Kiel-Holtenau airfield.

Open questions on the barracks grounds

The ongoing reviews come with practical questions on the grounds in Boostedt. At the moment, the former barracks serve as state accommodation for refugees; in addition, a prison service school is located there. At the end of June, the state had announced that the property would go into reserve operation starting next year.

What could change on the grounds in Boostedt for the Bundeswehr, the refugee accommodation, and the prison service school remains open so far. Discussions are being initiated at the federal and state levels as well as with the relevant local stakeholders.

With the Lower Saxon city of Cuxhaven, there is another possible new site in northern Germany for military service. This suggests that the Bundeswehr could in future rely on several northern German sites simultaneously in its search for areas for the new military service.

The decision on the actual reactivation of the Rantzau Barracks is therefore likely to be made only once the ongoing discussions between the federal government, the state, and the municipality have been completed. Until then, it remains open to what extent and at what point the Bundeswehr will once again be present in Boostedt.