Germany’s Military Counterintelligence Service about to receive expanded powers to safeguard against infiltration by perceived adversaries
Date
6/30/2024 8:43:43 AM
(MENAFN) Germany’s Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) is on the verge of receiving expanded powers to safeguard against infiltration by perceived adversaries, with a particular focus on Russia, as reported by Welt on Friday. This development comes as part of a draft bill aimed at broadening MAD’s intelligence capabilities beyond German military bases, especially during foreign missions. The proposed changes would enable the agency to monitor not only German soldiers but also foreign nationals by intercepting their communications and employing informants.
The German Defense Ministry is pushing for these additional powers to bolster MAD in response to what Chancellor Olaf Scholz has described as a "turning point" in European politics, emphasizing the growing threat from Russia. A spokesperson for the ministry explained that the amendment would grant MAD the necessary authority to protect the Bundeswehr from espionage, sabotage by foreign entities, and extremist infiltration within its own ranks, even during overseas deployments. The new legislation is anticipated to come into effect later this year.
The urgency behind the ministry's efforts is tied to plans for a "war-ready brigade" of nearly 5,000 troops to be stationed permanently on NATO’s eastern flank in Lithuania by the end of 2027, near the borders with Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad Region. In April, Germany dispatched an advance military team to Lithuania in preparation for this deployment. This strategic move underscores Germany’s commitment to enhancing its military readiness and security measures amid escalating tensions in the region.
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