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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. 

Sicherheit
© Shutterstock/Karolis Kavolelis

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

Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (r.) und NATO-Generalsekretär Mark Rutte Defence
Transatlantic Alliance
Why Germany is an unwavering NATO member
For Germany and Europe in genral, the alliance has been an unprecedented success. We assess key issues.
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.
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
For four years, Russia has been waging its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Germany’s assistance is comprehensive - and remains indispensable.
Deutschland engagiert sich seit mehr als 50 Jahren in den Vereinten Nationen. United Nations Germany’s commitment to the UN
Germany does its duty through the UN in many different ways, from providing humanitarian aid to participating in peacekeeping missions.
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
Hidden operations: Germany's intelligence services
Three agencies protect the nation and its democracy: the Federal Intelligence Service, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Military Counterintelligence Service.
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

Soldatin Defence
Armed forces
The Federal Republic’s new military strategy
The Bundeswehr is set to become Europe’s strongest conventional army by 2039. We assess the background of the Federal Government’s strategy. 
Drohnen Illustration Defence
Security
3d printing, drones and supersonic tech for the Bundeswehr
To boost Germany defence capacities, a new innovation centre will fast implement good ideas expressed by troops, researchers and start-up companies 
Fregattenkapitän Inka von Puttkamer steht vor dem Minenjagdboot „Dillingen“ German navy
Strait of Hormuz
Germany’s minehunter
Sea mines threaten the vital shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. Naval officer Inka von Puttkamer is preparing Germany’s mine countermeasures response.
Ein Mann mit Kapitänsmütze und dem Schriftzug „Skipper“ auf dem Hemd blickt in die Kamera. Germany in the UN Peacekeeping: UNIFIL 188 days between Cyprus and Lebanon
Monitoring the sea area, training Lebanese soldiers: aboard a German frigate that is involved in the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission.
Feierliches Gelöbnis im Bendlerblock Berlin, Sitz des Bundesverteidigungsministeriums Security Defence 70 years of the Bundeswehr: From formation to the turning point
From the Cold War to the current threat situation: The Bundeswehr looks back on seven decades of peacekeeping, loyalty to the alliance – and ever new challenges.
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
Bundeswehr soldier Alexandra Dejonckheere is deployed with the Franco-German Brigade in France and accompanied the UN mission in Mali.
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
In January 2026, Germany reintroduced a new form of military service. An overview of the rules and procedures.
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
Quiz
Security in Germany: test your knowledge!
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
The Basic Law
© Shutterstock/Mehaniq

How safe is Germany?

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
GSG 9 has been operating for more than five decades as a special operations unit of the Federal Police in the fight against terrorism, violent crime and new hybrid threats.
Hybride Angriffe auf Deutschland nehmen zu. Crime Propaganda and sabotage How is German democracy under hybrid attack?
Germany is focusing its attention on the risks posed by information manipulation, cyberattacks and acts of sabotage. Most of the attacks are orchestrated from abroad.