Germany plans to create a rapid response task force with Baltic Sea countries to share information and coordinate responses to hybrid threats involving the sea, air, cyberspace and critical infrastructure.
Germany has denied a report that it is considering funding British and French nuclear weapons programmes, while saying it is discussing wider cooperation on nuclear deterrence with France and within NATO.
Heckler & Koch reported record profits in the first half of the year, with revenue up 47.1% to €263.9 million. The German arms maker also saw profits more than triple as defence spending rose.
Germany rejects Vladimir Putin’s claim that Berlin fabricated evidence linking Russia to a drone incident at Leipzig airport. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says the accusation is false and has won strong backing from EU allies.
Japan’s MMX mission is set to launch in October with the German-French Idefix rover aboard. Idefix will land on Mars’s moon Phobos in 2029, explore its surface and help to return the first samples from the Martian system to Earth.
Germany’s Navy has successfully tested Israel’s Lora missile from a frigate in the North Atlantic. The system, with a range of more than 500 kilometres, could give Germany a new long-range strike capability at sea.
Germany’s military reached 186,700 active soldiers in July, the highest level in 13 years. Applications also rose 26 percent as Berlin expands recruitment and defence spending, leaving its 2026 troop goal now well within reach this year.
Germany has opened a new centre to develop and test technology for detecting and stopping hostile drones. The move follows a series of incidents as Berlin expands the Federal Police’s drone defence force to 300 officers nationwide.
Germany expects an “arms race” in drone defence as threats evolve. The Federal Police is expanding its drone unit from 70 to 300 officers, after an explosive-laden drone was found at Leipzig airport earlier this month.
Germany and the Netherlands have taken command of NATO land forces in Estonia and Latvia, opening a new corps headquarters that can command an international force of around 50,000. The move aims to improve defence and coordination in the Baltic region.
German shipbuilder TKMS says it remains on track to deliver the first MEKO A-200 DEU frigate in 2029 after Germany cancelled the delayed and over-budget F126 programme, while reaffirming plans to buy eight new warships.
Germany, France and the UK have voiced concern over China’s recent coastguard activities near Taiwan, warning they threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation. The U.S. also urged Beijing to reduce pressure on Taiwan.
Germany says its new brigade in Lithuania will be fully operational by 2027. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said most troops are expected to volunteer, but compulsory assignments may be used to fill specialist roles.
Poland is demanding a larger role in efforts to end the Ukraine war, arguing that countries closest to Russia face the greatest security risks. Warsaw wants a seat alongside Germany, France and Britain in future talks.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger says global rules are needed to ensure humans—not artificial intelligence—make the final decision to use force in war, warning that rapid advances in military AI require clear international limits.
