Military Counterintelligence Sees Unprecedented Rise in Espionage and Extremism Threats to German Armed Forces

The German Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) disclosed in its 2025 annual report that threats to the Bundeswehr, Germany's armed forces, from espionage and sabotage activities have reached record levels, particularly from Russian intelligence agencies. The report cites increased foreign intelligence efforts utilizing comprehensive methods including lethal options like assassinations and kidnappings. A notable incident was the March 2024 leak of a discussion about supplying Ukraine with long-range cruise missiles. Russia and China are identified as main actors conducting hybrid intelligence attacks to gain tactical battlefield information such as weapons data and troop deployments. MAD President Martina Rosenberg emphasized that espionage is a preparatory act for conflict. Aside from foreign threats, internal risks have risen, with a 34% increase in right-wing extremist investigations in 2024, including 11 soldiers classified as right-wing extremists and 26 with questionable loyalty. In total, 524 new extremism suspicion cases were recorded, pushing security clearance operations to an unprecedented 68,000 checks. Cases involving Reichsbürger and similar groups declined, while foreign-related extremism tied to pro-Russian attitudes about Ukraine remained steady. Since April 2024, MAD has been undergoing internal structural reforms to better identify and counter Russian intelligence specialists, including those linked to lethal operations. This report underscores a multifront challenge facing German military security from foreign espionage and domestic extremism.