Germany's Military Counterintelligence Warns Bundestag of Rising Sabotage and Espionage Threats
On October 5, 2026, the Bundeswehr said Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) had warned during a Bundestag hearing that sabotage and espionage threats directed at the armed forces had grown. The Bundeswehr linked the warning to a significantly worsened security environment placing higher demands on the military and intelligence services. The same day, the armed forces described drone technology as an important part of modern warfare, in reconnaissance and defence roles.
The Bundeswehr listed its unmanned systems, including eight Heron TP aircraft with an operating ceiling of about 12,500 metres, and seven Eurodrones on order. The focus follows Defence Minister Boris Pistorius's October 1 announcement at the Bergen training area that the army will establish a drone regiment of about 600 personnel in 2027, combining reconnaissance, strike, counter-drone and electronic-warfare capabilities.
The MAD warning did not come in isolation. German authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of hybrid drone and cyber attacks, including an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in August, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned publicly on October 1 to prepare for more serious hybrid attacks. MAD is charged with countering espionage, sabotage and extremist infiltration aimed at the military, and its public warning in a parliamentary hearing reflects Berlin's rising assessment of infiltration risks.
At the European level, the European Commission announced on October 5 an additional €130 million to strengthen member states' drone and counter-drone capabilities for border security. Analysts say Germany is treating battlefield awareness, base protection and counterintelligence as linked tasks: building drone capability while protecting its own forces from covert disruption.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 联邦国防军士兵在训练中交流。摄影：Adrian Greenwood（美国陆军），公共领域，来源：Wikimedia Commons
