Germany’s Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) could soon be granted additional powers to protect itself from infiltration by perceived enemies, particularly Russia, the news outlet Welt reported on Friday.
Citing a draft bill on the expansion of MAD’s powers, Welt stated that the agency is looking to use its expanded intelligence capability outside German military bases during foreign missions. Additionally, it wants to be able to monitor not only its own soldiers, but also foreign nationals, by intercepting their communications and using informants.
The German Defense Ministry is reportedly seeking the additional powers in order to strengthen MAD for the “turning point” previously outlined by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, referring to the political situation in Europe and the perceived threat posed by Russia.
“The amendment grants the Military Counterintelligence Service the necessary powers to protect the Bundeswehr against espionage and sabotage by foreign powers, as well as against extremist attempts at infiltration from within its own ranks, even during foreign missions,” a ministry spokesperson told the outlet, noting that the new law is expected to take effect this year.
The reason for the German Defense Ministry’s push to pass the bill as soon as possible is that by the end of 2027, a “war-ready brigade” of nearly 5,000 troops is expected to be permanently stationed on NATO’s eastern flank in Lithuania, near the borders with Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad Region. In April, Germany sent an advance military team to the Baltic nation.
Hellbound and Down 