Germany eyes Israeli expertise to build “Cyber Dome” against emerging threats

Germany is intensifying its security cooperation with Israel, focusing on cyber defence and intelligence collaboration, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced during his visit to Israel.

As Berlin faces escalating threats from Russia and China, it aims to leverage Israel’s advanced defence expertise to bolster its own military and civil security capabilities, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

“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,” Dobrindt said, addressing the urgency of expanding Germany’s security measures beyond traditional military means.

Dobrindt arrived in Israel on June 28 and on June 29 visited Bat Yam, the site of a recent devastating Iranian missile strike that killed nine people, including three children, and injured hundreds. Standing amid the rubble alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, he emphasized, “We must deepen our support for Israel.” This visit marked the first by a senior foreign official following the recent Israel-Iran conflict.

Dobrindt unveiled a five-point plan aimed at establishing a “Cyber Dome” for Germany. This strategic initiative includes creating a joint German-Israeli cyber research center, enhancing cooperation between Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and Mossad, expanding Germany’s anti-drone defence capabilities, and developing civil defence systems similar to Israel’s emergency shelters and warning protocols used during the Iran war.

The move to expand cyber cooperation was partly motivated by Israel’s crucial role in thwarting extensive Iranian cyber and missile attacks during the 12-day conflict, which ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. Iran launched over 500 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,100 drones targeting Israel, resulting in 28 fatalities and more than 3,000 injuries, according to Israeli health authorities.

Earlier the same day, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder called for Germany to acquire 2,000 interceptor missiles to implement an “Iron Dome” missile defence system akin to Israel’s.

By Vafa Guliyeva