Auttor: Mathias Schulz

POHM: Mr Leonards, you have served at sea and now command the Regional Territorial Command Hamburg of the Bundeswehr. How does serving on land feel for a naval officer?

Kurt Leonards: It's a pleasure, I have to say. Hamburg is not just any city – it is Germany’s largest port city, with a strong maritime identity. For me, this posting feels entirely natural, and not at all foreign to my nature. I feel very comfortable here and am grateful to be able to lead the Regional Territorial Command Hamburg as a naval officer.

You have seen many ports around the world. How familiar are you with the Port of Hamburg?

I only got to know it in depth last year, mainly through the lens of security. During this time, I worked closely with HHLA, HPA, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Of course, I also attended the Port Anniversary celebrations and participated in meetings of various port committees. In addition, our Red Storm Bravo exercise took place in the port itself. There is also a personal connection: as a young lieutenant, I called at Hamburg with a frigate for scheduled shipyard maintenance. I clearly remember, in my early twenties, sailing up the Elbe and seeing the cityscape from the water for the first time – it was a formative experience.

What do Hamburg and its port represent for you?

To me, Hamburg is a tolerant, international city, outward- looking, with a touch of the British lifestyle. The fact that the Hamburg coat of arms once depicted an open gate symbolises the city’s attitude of welcoming people, no matter where they come from. This openness and diversity are at the heart of Hamburg’s identity.

What role do the Regional Territorial Commands play within the Bundeswehr’s organisational structure?

The Regional Territorial Commands act as the central contact point for state governments on all matters concerning the Bundeswehr. They coordinate under the principle of ‘One face to the customer’ on issues such as disaster relief, civil-military cooperation, and events like Veterans’ Day. The Regional Territorial Command liaises with other Bundeswehr units in Hamburg – such as the Leadership Academy, Helmut Schmidt University, and the Bundeswehr Hospital – to address the federal state’s concerns.

The Bundeswehr’s main task when it comes to security policy is the defence of the country and alliance. NATO, for example, relies on rapid troop movements to the north-eastern alliance border as a deterrent against Russia. In a crisis, Germany is a transit country and serves as a logistical hub – potentially for hundreds of thousands of NATO soldiers passing through over several months. These operations are defined in the classified Operations Plan Germany. The Regional Territorial Commands coordinate the interfaces of this plan with the state governments – which in Hamburg, is the Ministry of the Interior and Sport (BIS). This leads to close, almost daily exchanges with BIS.

Red Storm Bravo simulated this exact scenario: the transit of troops and equipment. What was the aim of the exercise?

The goal was to train the civil-military interfaces that would be crucial in a real situation – between the Bundeswehr, police, fire service, Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), German Red Cross, and other actors. Practically speaking, this addresses issues such as: how does a convoy of 70 military trucks move through the city centre? Which route has been scouted and authorised? How do the civil police and military police communicate with each other? How is coordination with the traffic and economic authorities handled, as well as with HPA and HHLA? This year, we focused on finding a common language. Companies have begun contributing their own security workflows. For Red Storm Charlie, the follow-up exercise in 2026, additional companies and organisations have already announced their participation.

Can collaboration between the various actors be further expanded?

Yes, absolutely. We are developing something that did not even exist a year ago. Red Storm Alpha provided the foundation, Bravo was the next step, and Red Storm Charlie will be even more intensive. At the same time, we are being careful not to overstretch ourselves and to maintain the right balance.

How has external feedback been so far?

Surprisingly positive. Three announced demonstrations were much smaller than expected. We received support from bystanders, often in everyday situations such as at the bakery, where people told soldiers: ‘You can go first, you’re taking part in that important exercise, aren’t you?’ This recognition is important for the troops. There were times when appreciation for military personnel was only perceptible during overseas deployments – that is now changing, and noticeably so.

Given the daily reports about threats and drone activity, do Hamburg and the port need to respond?

We notice that the security situation is changing. There have been numerous drone sightings here at the barracks, as well as in the port. This means that we – the Bundeswehr, authorities, and civilian companies – need to increase our resilience, both in terms of IT security and physical protection. We must continue to develop measures against drone reconnaissance.

What role do ports play when NATO partners require support?

They play a central role. Logistics is decisive – both in the civilian and military sectors. The Operations Plan Germany specifies which hubs, airports, and routes would be affected. The more tense the situation, the more important ports and throughput terminals become.

What contribution do exercises like the Red Storm series make?

They provide a realistic picture of security mechanisms in the port, the Bundeswehr, and involved companies. As scenarios become more complex and various dilemmas are played out, the resilience of all participants increases. We must check what legal regulations allow the Bundeswehr to do. At the same time, we should collaborate closely with the police and other relevant agencies. To increase the Bundeswehr’s readiness, the navy also needs to grow: ships and boats must be built, maintained, and repaired – much of this work takes place in ports.

Does this imply changes for the Regional Territorial Command Hamburg?

The Bundeswehr will continue to evolve – and so will the Regional Territorial Commands. We see ourselves as the Bundeswehr’s sensors and effectors in the federal states. ‘One face to the customer’ enables clear, direct lines between state governments and the Bundeswehr.

Red Storm Charlie is already in the works. What will be its focus?

We are thinking about approaching logistical procedures with a stronger interstate focus: for example, what comes from Lower Saxony to Hamburg, and what departs from Schleswig-Holstein? We also want to intensify our interactions with fire services, medical units, and other emergency organisations.

What are your hopes for society and the Bundeswehr over the next five years?

Security is a basic human need. I wish for everyone to be able to worry less about it. For the Bundeswehr, this means further strengthening its defensive capabilities. We need to be flexible and able to grow quickly. For decades, we specialised in shrinking; now we must become specialists in growing. It is challenging but necessary, and I am convinced the Bundeswehr will look very different in five years than it does today.