Restricted After Nazi Era: Germany to Upgrade Spy Powers to Protect Country Against Rising Threats

Germany is stepping up its intelligence and military space efforts to face increasingly rising threats. The country plans to grant its spy agencies new powers and bolster its space technology, aiming to protect itself from threats posed by Russia, China, and other adversaries.

Post-World War II, Germany's intelligence agencies faced strict limits to prevent abuses seen during the Nazi era. Now, those constraints are being reconsidered amid a rising tide of hybrid threats such as cyberattacks, disinformation, covert operations, and space warfare.

The move aims to help Germany match its European neighbours' intelligence capabilities. Thorsten Frei, head of the chancellor's office, describes information as the 'hard currency' in global intelligence-sharing.

He emphasises that, in a world growing more dangerous, gathering data isn't enough. The BND (Bundesnachrichtendienst) should have the authority to disrupt drone radio links and disable cryptocurrency wallets used in criminal activities.

'The aim is to be on an equal footing with our European partners in the field of intelligence gathering,' he told German outlet Tagesspiegel.

'Intelligence services cooperate worldwide, and the only hard currency that counts is information,' Frei added.

Ethical spy powers? Moving on from Nazi abuses and Stasi's surveillance state

Germany's government wants its foreign intelligence agency, the BND, to gain broader powers. In recent years, many threats to Germany were thwarted thanks to intelligence shared by allies with wider surveillance abilities.

Now, Berlin sees the need to level the playing field.

Officials are calling for a 'paradigm shift' to allow the BND to access private mobile phones and store data for up to a year.

This proposal faces resistance within Germany's political scene. Opposition parties warn that expanding surveillance and data retention could threaten civil liberties.

'In a time that is becoming increasingly threatening, we cannot stop at intelligence gathering alone,' Frei said. 'To protect our country, we must also put our services in a position to carry out certain operations.'

Critics argue the plans risk escalating powers too far, raising concerns about democratic oversight. Still, the government insists the reforms are necessary to keep Germany safe.

Lasers and eye satellites in military splurges

Germany is investing heavily in space technology.

The country plans to build a constellation of over 100 military satellites, known as SATCOM Stage 4. These satellites will enable secure communications and missile tracking, similar to the US Space Development Agency's models.

German Space Command Michael Traut told Reuters that Germany needs to 'improve our deterrence posture in space, since space has become an operational or even warfighting domain, and we are perfectly aware that our systems, our space capabilities, need to be protected and defended.'

The goal is to create a resilient, European-led satellite network that reduces reliance on American technology.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Berlin sees space as a new battleground. Investing in space-based capabilities helps deter potential attacks and gives Germany options to disable or disrupt hostile satellites.

Germany's space strategy includes deploying advanced intelligence satellites and systems capable of interfering with adversary spacecraft. This encompasses lasers, jamming devices, and ground-based infrastructure targeting, all designed to counter threats without creating space debris or destructive weapons.

Protecting space assets and deterring adversaries

The focus is on non-kinetic methods. Germany plans to develop technologies that can disable enemy satellites or interfere with their signals. Small 'inspector' satellites will be used to approach and examine other spacecraft, a tactic already seen from Russia and China.

'There is a broad range of possible effects in the electromagnetic spectrum, in the optical, in the laser spectrum, and even some active physical things like inspector satellites,' Traut told the news outlet.

'You could even go after ground segments of a space system in order to deny that system to your adversary or to tell him, 'If you do something to us in space, we might do something to you in other domains as well,' he concluded.

Officials stress that Germany will prioritise domestic and European suppliers for these projects, aiming to foster European independence in space technology.

The government also emphasises that these measures are defensive. The goal isn't to dominate space but to ensure Berlin can defend its interests.

The new investments will cost over €35 billion, highlighting the seriousness of Germany's shift. As threats grow more complex, Berlin's efforts to adapt may determine its security in the years ahead.