Germany seeks Israeli partnership on cyber defence, plans cyber dome
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said an upgrade in civil defence is essential to strengthen defensive capabilities.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
BERLIN - Germany is aiming to establish a joint German-Israeli cyber research centre and deepen collaboration between the two countries’ intelligence and security agencies, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on June 29.
Germany is among Israel’s closest allies in Europe, and Berlin has increasingly looked to draw upon Israel’s defence expertise as it boosts its military capabilities and contributions to Nato in the face of perceived growing threats from Russia and China.
“Military defence alone is not sufficient for this turning point in security. A significant upgrade in civil defence is also essential to strengthen our overall defensive capabilities,” Mr Dobrindt said during a visit to Israel, as reported by Germany’s Bild newspaper.
Mr Dobrindt, who was appointed by new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in May, arrived in Israel on June 28.
According to the Bild report, Mr Dobrindt outlined a five-point plan aimed at establishing what he called a “Cyber Dome” for Germany, as part of its cyber defence strategy.
Earlier on June 29, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Soeder called for the acquisition of 2,000 interceptor missiles to equip Germany with an “Iron Dome” system similar to Israel’s short-range missile defence technology. REUTERS
