Unknown individuals stole approximately 20,000 cartridges intended for the German Armed Forces from a civilian truck near Magdeburg. The theft occurred due to a breach of security requirements during transportation, as the cargo was left unattended.
In October, a record number of drone appearances were recorded over German military facilities, especially over the naval component. German police are investigating the possible involvement of Russian intelligence in these incidents.
Germany is developing and implementing a secret 1,200-page "Operational Plan Germany" (OPLAN DEU) in case of war with Russia, which provides for the transfer of up to 800,000 NATO troops to the front line. The plan details logistics and defense, and also brings back a Cold War mentality, taking into account modern threats and infrastructure problems.
The German Chancellor's Cabinet has approved a law allowing the Bundeswehr to shoot down unknown drones suspected of spying on military bases and industrial facilities. The military will be able to use force against UAVs at the request of local police, using weapons or jammers.
Germany's Federal Minister of Agriculture, Alois Rainer, was forced to return to Germany due to technical problems with the Global 5000 aircraft. His visit to the USA has been canceled, and the minister will travel on a commercial flight.
Friedrich Merz faces a decline in popularity, with only 16% of Germans supporting him as a candidate. Economic forecasts are falling, and his coalition is paralyzed by internal conflicts.
The US has signed a defense contract with Boeing for the production of up to 60 CH-47F Block II heavy-lift helicopters for Germany. The contract is valued at $876 million, with work to be completed by October 28, 2035.
Germany is considering a draft law on conscription if necessary, which includes a mandatory medical examination for 18-year-old men. Women will also be able to undergo the examination, and volunteers are offered up to 2,600 euros per month.
Three drones were spotted over the Doel nuclear power plant in Belgium, which did not affect its operation. This happened after a series of similar incidents with drones over military facilities and airports in Belgium and other European countries.
The German Ministry of Defense and the military are concerned that MPs from the far-right AfD party may be using parliamentary inquiries to obtain strategically important information. They believe that some MPs are "deliberately processing questionnaires from Moscow" concerning the Bundeswehr's military capabilities and procurement schedules.
The German arms concern Rheinmetall AG has begun construction of an ammunition production plant in Lithuania, which is the largest defense investment in the country's history. The enterprise will start operating in mid-2026, producing up to 100,000 shells annually.
Germany is reclaiming its role as a military leader in Europe, having lifted financial restrictions on its defense sector. Berlin is investing hundreds of billions of pounds in state-of-the-art tanks, artillery, fighter jets, and warships.
The popularity of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has fallen to 25%, a record low since the government was formed. This comes amid growing dissatisfaction with migration policy and deteriorating economic expectations in Germany.
The German government is planning an unprecedented upgrade of its military capabilities. A €377 billion procurement plan is intended to make the Bundeswehr the most powerful army in Europe.
In the Bavarian city of Erding, police wounded a Bundeswehr soldier with live ammunition during exercises. Soldiers in balaclavas with weapons opened fire with blank cartridges at police officers who arrived at the call of local residents.
Germany is discussing the reintroduction of military service, proposing a lottery system for conscription if there are not enough volunteers. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expressed dissatisfaction with the compromise, considering it impractical.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced the creation of a federal police unit to combat drones, as well as a research and development unit. Germany will cooperate with Israel, Ukraine, and European partners, and the Bundeswehr will be authorized to assist the police in shooting down drones.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the strengthening of air defense on NATO's eastern flank. Germany will transfer two more Patriot systems to Ukraine by the end of the year and send units with anti-drone systems to Denmark.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt plans to change the rules for combating drones, allowing the destruction of drones by the armed forces in the event of an immediate threat. This includes strengthening penalties for illegal entry into airport territory and expanding technical measures.
German company Rheinmetall and the Latvian state defense corporation are establishing a joint venture for the production of ammunition in Latvia. Investments in the project will amount to €275 million, which will allow the production of tens of thousands of artillery shells annually.
Two Russian reconnaissance satellites, Luch-Olymp, are tracking spacecraft used by the German military. This indicates serious strategic threats in space, where Russia and China already hold important positions.
A Russian fighter jet flew over a German Navy frigate in the Baltic Sea, which German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called a provocation. He compared the incident to recent Russian violations of Polish and Estonian airspace.
Russia and Belarus have launched joint military exercises "Zapad-2025" amid escalating tensions with NATO after the incident with Russian drones in Poland. More than 40,000 troops are taking part in the maneuvers, practicing scenarios with nuclear weapons and testing a new missile.
European media called the use of expensive F-35 missiles to shoot down cheap Russian drones a "catastrophe. " The cost of one AIM-9 Sidewinder missile is over 400,000 euros, while a "Shahed" costs only a few thousand.
The German concern Rheinmetall will expand military aid to Ukraine by supplying the Armed Forces with Skyranger anti-drone systems. The contract is expected to be signed on September 10 at the DSEI exhibition in London.
Western observers will analyze the Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 exercises to assess the combat readiness of Moscow and Minsk. The maneuvers will take place near Poland and Lithuania; NATO countries are conducting their own exercises.
Over a thousand units of Bundeswehr equipment have been delivered to the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda to participate in the large-scale Quadriga 2025 exercises. Military personnel from 13 NATO countries will practice the defense of the Baltic region.
Two German Eurofighter jets scrambled to intercept a Russian Il-20 without a transponder over the Baltic Sea. This is the tenth such incident for the German Air Force this year.
German leaders are considering the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine after a peace agreement is reached. This issue is key for Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who seeks to restore Germany's leadership.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is justifying himself over interpretations of his words regarding the possible deployment of the Bundeswehr to Ukraine. He emphasized that no decisions on troop deployment have been made, and his comments were taken out of context.
