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Sicherheit
© Shutterstock/Karolis Kavolelis

Security and defence in Germany

In response to a generally elevated threat level, Germany’s security and defence policy has been changing noticeably since Russia launched its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine: besides strengthening and modernising its armed forces, the Bundeswehr, Germany is attaching increasing importance to protecting critical infrastructure and to civil defence. 

Security policy

Die Bundeswehr hat 20 neue Eurofighter Kampfjets bestellt. Security
Defence
How Germany is rearming
Missile defence, drones, artillery: Germany is racing to boost its defence capability with massive investments. An overview.
Die europäischen Staaten rücken näher zusammen. Hier Bundeskanzler Merz (r) mit Frankreichs Präsident Macron (M) und Großbritanniens Premierminister Starmer Security
Politics
Greater responsibility, greater sovereignty
War in Europe, power politics instead of rules, and an unpredictable US president: Germany is redefining its security policy.
Das deutsche Rechtssystem gilt als eines der stabilsten der Welt. Security
Facts
How safe is Germany?
How does the rule of law ensure security in Germany? And how many crimes are committed in Germany? Read here for answers to the most important questions.
Der ukrainische Präsident Wolodymyr Selenskyj (l) und Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz auf der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz 2026. Ukraine Four years of war in Ukraine Germany continues to stand firmly by Ukraine’s side
Deutschland engagiert sich seit mehr als 50 Jahren in den Vereinten Nationen. United Nations Germany’s commitment to the UN
Panzerproduktion bei Rheinmetall
A strategic industry with a future
Tanks, drones and high-tech: Germany’s arms industry is growing rapidly and is at the heart of Europe’s security interests.
Menschliche Schatten
Operating in the shadows: Germany’s intelligence services
Top secret: what the Federal Intelligence Service, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Military Counterintelligence Service do to counter threats and protect democracy.
Zahlreiche Staats- und Regierungschefs treffen sich bei der MSC in München.
The most important security policy forum
What happens behind the scenes at the Munich Security Conference? Who comes to the conference, what is it about and what exactly are the Chatham House Rules? The most important facts about the MSC.

Bundeswehr

Rekruten im freiwilligen Wehrdienst für den Heimatschutz The Federal Armed Forces
Democracy
Citizen in uniform
The Bundeswehr lives by the democratic values of the Federal Republic of Germany – these are the three most important principles.
Internationale Kooperation in der Deutsch-Französischen Brigade The Federal Armed Forces:
International relations
An army of partnerships
The Bundeswehr cooperates very closely with its international allies.
Kommandeur der Führungsakademie: Konteradmiral Ralf Kuchler Federal Armed Forces
Command and Staff College
The school of officers – and of friendship
At the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg, General Staff officers from many different countries receive their training – an interview.
Truppenärztin Alexandra Dejonckheere in Mali The Federal Armed Forces: International missions Deployed as a doctor abroad in the Federal Armed Forces
Soldaten und Soldatinnen des Wachbataillons der Bundeswehr, aufgenommen im Rahmen eines Empfangs mit militaerischen Ehren auf dem Hof des Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, Berlin, 28.01.2026. Security Bundeswehr Germany’s new military service explained
Quiz
Security in Germany: test your knowledge!
Bundesverteidigungsminister Boris Pistorius (SPD) fliegt in einem Airbus Cougar AS 532 Hubschrauber zu seinem Besuch der General-Dr. Speidel-Kaserne des Bundeswehr ABC-Abwehrkommando in Bruchsal.
© picture alliance/dpa | Uli Deck
Animal names and the Bundeswehr: which of these does not exist?
Ein Verkehrsschild verbietet an einer Straße die Durchfahrt für Panzer.
© picture alliance / dpa | Matthias Balk
What among other things sets the Munich Security Conference apart?
Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, Präsident des Europäischen Rates, spricht auf der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz.
© picture alliance/dpa | Matthias Balk
When was the Federal Police special operations unit GSG 9 established?
Ein Mitglied der GSG 9, Spezialeinheit der Bundespolizei, steht an Bord eines Küstenwachschiffs.
© picture alliance/dpa | Marcus Brandt
Which test is not part of the GSG 9 selection process?
Mitglieder der Spezialeinheit GSG 9 vor einem Heilikopter.
© picture alliance / Flashpic | Jens Krick
How many volunteers work for the Federal Agency for Technical Relief?
Einsatzkräfte des THW (Technisches Hilfswerk) im Landesverband NRW bei einer mehrtägige Großübung.
© picture alliance / Jochen Tack | Jochen Tack
Which subject is not taught to future agents of the Federal Intelligence Service?
Der Bundesadler und Schriftzug am Gebäude des Bundesnachrichtendienstes in Berlin.
© picture alliance / ZB | Sascha Steinach
Since when have women in the Bundeswehr been permitted to carry weapons?
Soldatinnen und Soldaten des Heimatschutzregiments 6 sind im Schloßpark Möckern angetreten.
© picture alliance/dpa | Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert
How safe is Germany?
The Basic Law
© Shutterstock/Mehaniq

How does the rule of law ensure security in Germany? And how many crimes are committed in Germany? Read here for answers to the most important questions.

Find out more

Police

Carina Lerch, Einsatzleiterin der Polizei Mittelhessen
A leader with her feet firmly on the ground
As operational commander with the Central Hesse police, Carina Lerch is in charge of around 2,000 officers. She nonetheless remains close to the grass roots and sometimes even goes out on the beat.
doerthe_papakonstantinou
How German police promote peace and democracy
35 years of involvement: Germany’s participation in United Nations police missions around the world
UNMISS Police Commissioner Meinolf Schlotmann (r.) bei der Übergabe eines Fahrzeugs an den South Sudan National Police Service
“Peace can only be achieved through dialogue”
Meinolf Schlotmann from Germany is the leader of the police component of the UNMISS peacekeeping mission in South Sudan that aims to provide protection and security as well as to build trust.
Die gemeinsame deutsch-polnische Polizeidienststelle in Świecko
Walking the beat together on the German-Polish beach
German-Polish police cooperation is being further expanded: the German island of Usedom has its own squad and its own police station.
Schnell, präzise, effektiv: Mitglieder der Spezialeinheit GSG 9 Security Special unit GSG 9: precision under extreme pressure
Hybride Angriffe auf Deutschland nehmen zu. Crime Propaganda and sabotage Protecting democracy against hybrid attacks