Germany considers preventive cyberattacks against Russia
Photo: German army cyber unit (Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy)
Germany is discussing a major intelligence reform that could significantly expand capabilities in countering external threats, including cyberattacks. Lawmakers believe that intelligence gathering alone is no longer sufficient and that security services must be equipped with tools to prevent threats from Russia, according to WELT.
The Chairman of the Bundestag's Parliamentary Control Committee, Marc Henrichmann, believes that traditional intelligence collection is no longer adequate in the face of modern challenges. The Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) must be given modern legal and technical tools for early threat detection and attribution.
Idea of preventive action
The politician explained that, in his view, intelligence services must be able to prevent threats from Russia before they can cause harm to Germany. He cited the example of drones that could potentially be used against German facilities.
"The best drone is the one that never takes off," Henrichmann said, explaining the need to stay ahead of threats.
According to him, the goal of the reform is to enable intelligence services to act proactively, rather than merely documenting existing dangers.
What threats are being identified in Germany
Henrichmann noted that Germany is increasingly confronted with new types of threats, including cyberattacks, sabotage, espionage, and unauthorized drone flights. In his view, German security services must be better prepared for these challenges.
What other parliamentarians say
Green Party security expert Konstantin von Notz supported the idea of updating the legislative framework. He described the reform of Germany's intelligence services as long overdue and agreed that they require modern legal foundations to fulfill their missions.
At the same time, the politician expressed caution regarding the potential expansion of powers. He stressed that the reform must be accompanied by strengthened oversight mechanisms, primarily from parliament, to ensure that the new capabilities remain within constitutional limits.
Context of the politician's statement
On the night of August 12, Hanover Airport was temporarily closed after a drone was spotted on its premises and pursued by police for two hours.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that on the night of August 5, Leipzig Airport suspended operations after a suspicious object was found near the runway.
Germany has also released new details regarding the incident involving an explosives-laden drone found near a Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig Airport. Work is ongoing to develop counter-drone measures to ensure readiness for future attacks.
