Germany reportedly boosting domestic defense with new division

The German army is creating a new division to focus on territorial defense, at a time when NATO is on high alert for a potential Russian attack at the alliance’s borders, according to media reports.

The reorganization will take effect on April 1, according to the reports. It will bring the number of German army divisions to four, maintaining the current total of 180,000 soldiers.

The fourth division will oversee Germany’s domestic defense, including the protection of infrastructure such as ports, railways and supply and deployment routes, the reports said.

Incoming United States President Donald Trump has called on NATO members to spend 5 percent of gross domestic product on defense — more than double the alliance’s current spending target.

While Trump’s 5 percent figure has generated perplexity among cash-strapped European Union governments, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was more circumspect, saying that NATO countries would strengthen their defense capabilities and citing a “regulated procedure” within the alliance.