Left-wing politician Jan van Aken has drawn attention by suggesting that young men could use marijuana to avoid Germany’s planned new military service assessments. His party, The Left, is preparing guidance opposing the government’s proposal to evaluate all young men born in 2008 or later for a new voluntary service programme, which could become compulsory if recruitment falls short.
Germany has introduced its first Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the largest combat aircraft in Bundeswehr service, which replaces the P-3C Orion fleet and will be stationed at Nordholz air base for surveillance and anti-submarine operations across the strategically vital GIUK gap in the North Atlantic. Germany will operate eight Poseidons by 2028, with crews training alongside NATO partners including the US, UK, Norway and Australia.
Rheinmetall aims to expand its annual turnover to around €50 billion by 2030, CEO Armin Papperger told analysts during the company’s Capital Markets Day in Unterlüss, with the German defence contractor experiencing a sharp rise in revenue since the war in Ukraine, driven by growing orders for artillery, ammunition, air defence systems and tanks.
The German government has proposed a reform of the Air Security Act to create a legal basis for military action against threatening drones in domestic airspace, with the draft allowing the Bundeswehr to use force or jamming technology against uncooperative drones deemed a danger to human life or critical infrastructure, and enables federal police to request limited technical support from the military.
Germany will lift its partial weapons export embargo on Israel on November 24, citing a stabilising ceasefire in Gaza and and renewed diplomatic efforts to increase humanitarian aid. Berlin will return to case-by-case reviews of export requests, a move welcomed by Israel but debated within Germany.
Germany will contribute at least €150 million toward the purchase of US-made military equipment for Ukraine, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said during a meeting of the “Group of Five” European defence ministers in Berlin under NATO’s PURL scheme.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pressed Ukraine to pursue anti-corruption reforms after President Volodymyr Zelensky briefed him on a widening corruption scandal that has led to two ministerial resignations and sanctions against key business figures.
Germany’s coalition government has agreed on a new military service model that begins as a voluntary programme but allows parliament to introduce conscription if recruitment falls short.
German defence company Rheinmetall and Finnish satellite maker ICEYE have established a joint venture to manufacture synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, Rheinmetall said on Friday. Rheinmetall holds a 60 percent stake in the project, while ICEYE holds 40 percent of shares.
The German military’s inspector general, Carsten Breuer, has called for assessing all young men for potential service to ensure readiness in a defence emergency. Supported by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, the plan aligns with a new military service law taking effect on January 01, 2026.
Rheinmetall has signed a €1 billion deal with Bulgaria to establish a joint gunpowder and ammunition factory near Sopot, aiming to produce 100,000 NATO-standard artillery shells annually. The German company holds 51% of the shares in the new project.
Israel has urged Germany to lift its partial arms export halt and travel warning following the Gaza ceasefire. Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel said the restrictions should end and backed German participation in the Gaza peace process, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz signalled the export freeze may be reviewed.
Germany will deploy Eurofighter jets to Poland’s Malbork Air Base as part of NATO’s new Eastern Sentry mission to strengthen air patrols along the alliance’s eastern flank. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the deployment will enhance NATO’s visibility and readiness amid repeated Russian airspace and drone incursions affecting Poland, Estonia, Denmark, and Romania.
Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned of legal challenges to a bill expanding the Bundeswehr’s role in domestic drone defence after a surge in suspected Russian drone sightings. The plan would strengthen police capabilities and create a joint defence centre, but faces constitutional concerns over military involvement in internal security.
Germany’s intelligence chief Martin Jäger warned that the country is already “under fire” from Russia and must prepare for further escalation. Speaking to lawmakers, he said Moscow seeks to destabilize NATO and intimidate Europe amid rising tensions, airspace violations, and drone incidents over German infrastructure.
