Germany now requires men aged 17–45 to seek approval for stays abroad over three months under its new military service law. The rule supports efforts to track availability as the country works to expand troop numbers.
Germany’s military has begun sending questionnaires to 18-year-olds as part of the country’s new military service programme. The forms are the first step in assessing interest and suitability for service, as Berlin looks to increase troop numbers under a law that came into force on January 1.
The UK government has launched Project Nightfall to develop a new ground-launched ballistic missile for Ukraine with a range of more than 500 kilometres. The programme aims to deliver test missiles within 12 months and support long-range strike capability and comes as Russia carried out a strike on Ukraine last week using the Oreshnik system.
Germany and India have agreed to expand cooperation in the defence sector during talks in Ahmedabad. A declaration of intent was signed during Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit, with plans including submarine construction in India and wider cooperation covering defence, technology, jobs, and critical resources.
The Kremlin has rejected calls for a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine, saying it wants to end the war rather than pause fighting. The response followed an appeal by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after peace talks in Berlin.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said any European protection force for Ukraine would depend on Russia’s response and unresolved legal and command issues, following talks in Berlin for a force to help secure a possible ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a U.S. delegation arrived in Berlin for talks on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of discussions involving European partners. Russian officials have expressed skepticism about the talks, which will continue on Monday.
Germany has accused Russia of carrying out a major cyberattack and a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the country’s federal election and undermining democratic institutions, alleging a 2024 cyberattack on Germany’s air-traffic control provider can be attributed to the Russian hacker group Fancy Bear, linked to military intelligence agency GRU.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Ukraine’s response to the revised US peace plan addresses the issue of potential territorial concessions — a central obstacle in efforts to end Russia’s war. European leaders have invited the US to discuss the proposal this weekend, with further talks possible in Berlin, next week.
The UK has launched Atlantic Bastion, a hybrid undersea warfare programme integrating autonomous systems, AI and traditional naval assets to protect critical infrastructure amid rising Russian submarine activity.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has dismissed the Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy, which portrays freedom of expression in Europe as eroding. Speaking in Berlin, he said Germany needs no advice on free speech protections and defended the country’s constitutional safeguards and free media.
The German military plans to create six new units to operate kamikaze drones by 2029, with plans for a data-driven, AI-enabled battlefield. The Bundeswehr is testing loitering munitions and aims to field its first medium-range battery by 2027, with further long-range systems to follow.
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.
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.
Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation has handed over a new batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to the Russian Ministry of Defense with production continuing at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant. Rostec stated that the Su-34 continues to serve as a key platform for frontline aviation, with the capacity to carry a variety of weapons ranging from unguided bombs to precision-guided missiles.
