Politics

Hardly any other product group is subject to stricter controls than military equipment. National laws, European regulations and directives, international conventions: a closer look at the regulation of arms exports dispels misconceptions and offers a new perspective on the security and defence industry.

Espionage, drone flyovers, and fake news: Russia’s hybrid war against the West is intensifying. In the event of a NATO collective defence clause, the Bundeswehr must protect critical infrastructure and secure the routes of the “German hub” – a task primarily for the reserve component of the home defence and security forces.

In the struggle for a new world order, the EU is often criticised for being too hesitant, too fragmented, and too weak. Unlike the US, Russia, and China, Europe is not a superpower. Nevertheless, in the long term, European nations have the potential to play an important role on the global stage.

If required to defend, the German armed forces do not only fight at NATO’s external borders. Crucial tasks must also be carried out directly within Germany. The Operational Plan for Germany, Germany’s national operational defence plan, coordinates military planning with civilian authorities and organisations.

The new strategy for the security and defence industry (SDI) is intended to sustainably strengthen the political, strategic, and economic significance of this high-tech sector. It will be crucial that the strategic goals are followed by concrete, smart, and powerful action that has a recognisable impact, both in Germany and across Europe. The core message

Disinformation has influenced public opinion since time immemorial. What is new is how quickly and convincingly it goes viral today. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and a little practice, almost anyone can now generate authentic-looking images or manipulate audio and video recordings. How does this affect our democracy and security? ZDF presenter Christian

Rheinmetall plans to produce 200,000 artillery shells per year at its new ammunition factory in Unterlüß in Lower Saxony. The importance of a domestic defence industry for Europe’s security was underlined by the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new factory. “We have to move away from manufacturing and