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.
A debate has arisen in Germany regarding the country's possible participation in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. Chancellor Friedrich Merz does not rule out such a possibility, but society and politicians are divided in their opinions.
Germany has expressed readiness to join the system of security guarantees for Ukraine. The scope of support has not yet been determined, but the participation of the Bundeswehr is not excluded.
A Ukrainian Patriot radar, damaged by a Russian strike and considered lost, has been restored by Bundeswehr engineers. The radar has successfully returned to service and has already helped destroy another Russian target.
The German army has launched an air bridge to the Gaza Strip, dropping 14 tons of humanitarian aid. The action is part of a joint project with Jordan, announced by the German Chancellor.
Germany will transfer additional Patriot launchers to Ukraine as a first stage. Other system components will be transferred within 2-3 months.
A Bundeswehr helicopter crashed into the Mulde River in Germany, killing two people. The Minister of Defense visited the crash site, and the search for one person is ongoing.
Bundeswehr Major General Christian Freuding stated that Russia aims to expand drone production for simultaneous attacks of up to 2,000 UAVs. He emphasized the need for more effective air defense in Ukraine and the development of "smart countermeasures."
Germany is discussing the purchase of up to 1,000 Leopard 2 tanks and 2,500 GTK Boxer armored vehicles worth 25 billion euros. This is part of a plan to form six NATO brigades and transform the Bundeswehr into the strongest army in Europe.
Gitanas Nausėda criticizes the insufficient determination of anti-Russian sanctions, calling for disconnecting banks from SWIFT, sanctions against the "shadow fleet" and energy companies. He also emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine.
The head of the Bundeswehr Association stated that Germany needs up to 260,000 soldiers for NATO's defense needs. The Bundeswehr currently has about 181,500 soldiers.
A Russian reconnaissance aircraft monitored German troops during the Iron Wolf exercises in Lithuania. This confirms the threat from Moscow and the need to strengthen counterintelligence.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the continuation of military support for Ukraine and the intention to make the Bundeswehr the strongest army in Europe. The West cannot accept an imposed peace.
The German army is negotiating with large companies to organize logistical support for NATO. The German government is preparing a "logistics hub" for NATO in accordance with the strategy.
