Germany, like several European countries, has been the victim of Russian digital andhybrid attacks in recent years. It has seen drone incursions overairports in Berlin and Munichand saw its air traffic control system fall victim to a cyberattack. In a recent interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Germany would "fight back, even abroad. We will disrupt attackers and destroy their infrastructure.”
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The move serves as a realignment of the country’s approach to offensive military operations, with the nation earning a reputation for being cautious and muted in its use of hard power, particularly in response to Moscow.
Last year, UK Defence Secretary John Healey spokecandidly on the threat posed by Russia, claiming “we’ve seen Russian incursions into NATO airspace double and we’ve seen 90,000 cyber-attacks on the UK Defence system alone.”
Healey announced that the military would begiven enhanced powers to target Russia, warning that the keyboard has become a weapon of war”.
Healey confirmed that offensive operations will be conducted through anew Cyber and Electromagnetic Command, which will also oversee a £1 billion investment in upgraded targeting systems using an artificial intelligence “kill web” that connects military systems.
Reforms in Germany are expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
An adaptation to intelligence laws will require a change in the constitution, requiring a two thirds majority in the German Bundestag parliament as well as the Bundesrat that represents German regional states.
Henning Zanetti, a spokesperson at Germany's Interior Ministry said: "Cyber defense is aimed at actively preventing, stopping, or at least mitigating attacks if they pose a serious threat.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
