Germany's military, the Bundeswehr, lacks personnel and equipment, despite a special modernization fund created two years ago, the parliament's commissioner for the armed forces said in a report.

Report: Germany's army shrinking and ageing

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, on Tuesday (Mar 5) said that one high-level military officer used an unsecured phone line during a call about the ongoing war in Ukraine, which Russia intercepted and leaked to the public. He also dismissed concerns about German communications systems being compromised.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Individual’s operational mistake’</h2>

In an incident which has caused an outcry and massive embarrassment for Germany, Russian media, last week released a 38-minute audio recording of a discussion among four senior German air force officials discussing how and if Ukraine could use Taurus long-range cruise missiles against invading Russian forces.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Germany probes military security leak after Russia wiretap

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“Our communication systems have not been compromised,” Pistorius told reporters in Berlin speaking about the initial results of an ongoing investigation into the wiretap incident.&nbsp;

He added, “The reason the air force call could nonetheless be recorded was because of an individual’s operational mistake.”

Pistorius said that one of the participants had accidentally joined the official meeting from a non-secure line which had likely been intercepted by chance by Russia via its widespread surveillance.&nbsp;

One of the four participants joined the meeting held on the Webex platform from a hotel in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-airshow-indias-advanced-light-helicopter-dhruv-participates-asias-biggest-air-show-692009">Singapore</a>, as the city-state at the time, was hosting an air show which saw the participation of many high-ranking military officials from across the world.

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The German defence minister also noted that the use of Webex for calls up to a certain security grade was authorised. The version of Webex is not some off-the-shelf software, said Pistorius, but a specially certified one with servers in the Bundeswehr’s computing centres in Germany.

<h2>About the wiretap</h2>

In the audio recording, posted on Russian social media by a state-backed journalist and head of Russia Today (RT) channel, Margarita Simonyan, German Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz was purportedly heard discussing possible delivery of Taurus missiles to Kyiv with three high-ranking Luftwaffe officials. &nbsp;

The German officials also discussed the training of Ukrainian soldiers and potential military targets for the cruise missiles including the Crimea bridge – which links occupied Crimea to the Russian mainland.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the German defence minister said Russia had leaked the call in a bid to create divisions in Berlin and between the country and its allies.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moscow-demands-explanation-from-germany-after-call-recording-over-ukraine-gets-leaked-696199">Ukraine war: Germany alleges Putin seeking to 'destabilise' country through wiretap</a>

This comes as the leaked discussion about possibly delivering Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv which Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly rejected, fuelled a public debate.&nbsp;

When asked if the leak would affect Gerhartz’s position, Pistorius said if nothing emerged from the probe then “I am not going to sacrifice one of my best officers to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s games”.&nbsp;

The German defence minister also said that Berlin would take measures so that such an incident would not happen again.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, on Tuesday (Mar 5) said that one high-level military officer used an unsecured phone line during a call about the ongoing war in Ukraine, which Russia intercepted and leaked to the public.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, on Tuesday (Mar 5) said that one high-level military officer used an unsecured phone line during a call about the ongoing war in Ukraine, which Russia intercepted and leaked to the public. He also dismissed concerns about German communications systems being compromised. ‘Individual’s operational mistake’ In an incident which has caused an outcry and massive embarrassment for Germany, Russian media, last week released a 38-minute audio recording of a discussion among four senior German air force officials discussing how and if Ukraine could use Taurus long-range cruise missiles against invading Russian forces. WATCH | Germany probes military security leak after Russia wiretap “Our communication systems have not been compromised,” Pistorius told reporters in Berlin speaking about the initial results of an ongoing investigation into the wiretap incident. He added, “The reason the air force call could nonetheless be recorded was because of an individual’s operational mistake.” Pistorius said that one of the participants had accidentally joined the official meeting from a non-secure line which had likely been intercepted by chance by Russia via its widespread surveillance. One of the four participants joined the meeting held on the Webex platform from a hotel in Singapore, as the city-state at the time, was hosting an air show which saw the participation of many high-ranking military officials from across the world. Also Read | Ukraine claims to have sunk Russian warship near Crimea using sea drones The German defence minister also noted that the use of Webex for calls up to a certain security grade was authorised. The version of Webex is not some off-the-shelf software, said Pistorius, but a specially certified one with servers in the Bundeswehr’s computing centres in Germany. About the wiretap In the audio recording, posted on Russian social media by a state-backed journalist and head of Russia Today (RT) channel, Margarita Simonyan, German Air Force Chief Ingo Gerhartz was purportedly heard discussing possible delivery of Taurus missiles to Kyiv with three high-ranking Luftwaffe officials. The German officials also discussed the training of Ukrainian soldiers and potential military targets for the cruise missiles including the Crimea bridge – which links occupied Crimea to the Russian mainland. On Tuesday, the German defence minister said Russia had leaked the call in a bid to create divisions in Berlin and between the country and its allies. Also Read | Ukraine war: Germany alleges Putin seeking to 'destabilise' country through wiretap This comes as the leaked discussion about possibly delivering Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv which Chancellor Olaf Scholz has publicly rejected, fuelled a public debate. When asked if the leak would affect Gerhartz’s position, Pistorius said if nothing emerged from the probe then “I am not going to sacrifice one of my best officers to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s games”. The German defence minister also said that Berlin would take measures so that such an incident would not happen again. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany blames military recording leak on one participant’s error leading to Russian intercept

Police on Wednesday arrested two former German soldiers accused of trying to form a "terrorist" paramilitary group to fight in Yemen's civil war, prosecutors said.

The two men had taken steps to "create a paramilitary unit of 100 to 150 men" composed of former police officers and soldiers, the Karlsruhe federal prosecutor's office in southwestern Germany said.

Named as Arend-Adolf G. and Achim A., both German citizens, the pair are accused of starting to plan their "terrorist organisation" in early 2021.

Arend-Adolf G., who was allegedly responsible for recruitment, had already contacted at least seven people in the hope of bringing them on board "to intervene in the civil war in Yemen", the prosecutors said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-detain-11-across-europe-in-mafia-probe-of-luxury-cars-422446" hreflang="en">Police detain 11 across Europe in mafia probe of luxury cars</a>

Both suspects were "aware that the unit they were to command would inevitably have to carry out acts of killing during their mission" and also expected civilians to be killed and injured, the prosecutors said.&nbsp;

They had been hoping to secure funds from Saudi Arabia for the project and were intending to pay members a monthly wage of 40,000 euros ($46,000) each.

Achim A. is accused of contacting representatives of the Saudi Arabian government and trying to arrange a meeting, but the prosecutors said the government did not respond.&nbsp;

Far-right networks&nbsp;

A Saudi-led coalition has for years been fighting against so-called Huthi rebels in Yemen, who are in turn supported by Iran.

The two suspects had wanted their unit to help bring peace in Yemen by pushing for negotiations between the Huthi rebels and the Yemeni government, according to the prosecutors.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/probability-of-war-with-china-within-one-year-very-low-taiwan-security-official-422455" hreflang="en">Probability of war with China within one year very low: Taiwan security official</a>

The pair were arrested by special forces on Wednesday morning in the southwestern district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald and in Munich. They later appeared before a judge and were remanded in custody.

The suspects' flats were searched in Munich and in the southern German district of Calw, and further properties were also searched in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria.

A spokesman for the defence ministry said it was "working very closely with the investigating authorities" on the case, but the two suspects were "not members of the Bundeswehr in the last quarter of a century".&nbsp;

The German government has been worried for years about some soldiers going rogue, especially those connected to far-right groups.

In early October, the army suspended soldiers in its ceremonial guard over suspicion of sexual aggression and sympathy with the far-right.

The elite KSK commando force was partially dissolved in 2020 after munitions were stolen and members were seen performing a Hitler salute at a party.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-says-he-is-guilty-of-nothing-as-committee-accuses-him-of-crimes-against-humanity-422462" hreflang="en">Bolsonaro says he is 'guilty of nothing' as committee accuses him of 'crimes against humanity'</a>

In May, the trial opened of a German soldier who allegedly plotted to attack prominent politicians while posing as a Syrian refugee -- a bizarre case further fuelling concerns over right-wing extremism.

And in June, a platoon stationed in Lithuania was recalled after accusations of racist and anti-Semitic behaviour.

Security company&nbsp;

According to Der Spiegel weekly, Arend-Adolf G. and Achim A. were paratroopers in the Bundeswehr and had later both worked for the controversial security company Asgaard.&nbsp;

Asgaard, which actively recruits former members of special units of the Bundeswehr and the police, came under fire in 2010 for signing a contract with opponents of the Somali government.

It also faced controversy in 2020 after German media exposed it as the hub of a wide-ranging right-wing extremist network.

The Yemeni civil war began in 2014 when the Huthis seized the capital Sanaa, 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of Marib, prompting Saudi-led forces to intervene to prop up the government the following year.

Tens of thousands of people have died and millions have been displaced in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The seven years of conflict have killed or injured at least 10,000 children, according to the United Nations children's fund, UNICEF.

Police on Wednesday arrested two former German soldiers accused of trying to form a "terrorist" paramilitary group to fight in Yemen's civil war, prosecutors said.

Police on Wednesday arrested two former German soldiers accused of trying to form a "terrorist" paramilitary group to fight in Yemen's civil war, prosecutors said. The two men had taken steps to "create a paramilitary unit of 100 to 150 men" composed of former police officers and soldiers, the Karlsruhe federal prosecutor's office in southwestern Germany said. Named as Arend-Adolf G. and Achim A., both German citizens, the pair are accused of starting to plan their "terrorist organisation" in early 2021. Arend-Adolf G., who was allegedly responsible for recruitment, had already contacted at least seven people in the hope of bringing them on board "to intervene in the civil war in Yemen", the prosecutors said. Also read | Police detain 11 across Europe in mafia probe of luxury cars Both suspects were "aware that the unit they were to command would inevitably have to carry out acts of killing during their mission" and also expected civilians to be killed and injured, the prosecutors said. They had been hoping to secure funds from Saudi Arabia for the project and were intending to pay members a monthly wage of 40,000 euros ($46,000) each. Achim A. is accused of contacting representatives of the Saudi Arabian government and trying to arrange a meeting, but the prosecutors said the government did not respond. Far-right networks A Saudi-led coalition has for years been fighting against so-called Huthi rebels in Yemen, who are in turn supported by Iran. The two suspects had wanted their unit to help bring peace in Yemen by pushing for negotiations between the Huthi rebels and the Yemeni government, according to the prosecutors. Also read | Probability of war with China within one year very low: Taiwan security official The pair were arrested by special forces on Wednesday morning in the southwestern district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald and in Munich. They later appeared before a judge and were remanded in custody. The suspects' flats were searched in Munich and in the southern German district of Calw, and further properties were also searched in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria. A spokesman for the defence ministry said it was "working very closely with the investigating authorities" on the case, but the two suspects were "not members of the Bundeswehr in the last quarter of a century". The German government has been worried for years about some soldiers going rogue, especially those connected to far-right groups. In early October, the army suspended soldiers in its ceremonial guard over suspicion of sexual aggression and sympathy with the far-right. The elite KSK commando force was partially dissolved in 2020 after munitions were stolen and members were seen performing a Hitler salute at a party. Also read | Bolsonaro says he is 'guilty of nothing' as committee accuses him of 'crimes against humanity' In May, the trial opened of a German soldier who allegedly plotted to attack prominent politicians while posing as a Syrian refugee -- a bizarre case further fuelling concerns over right-wing extremism. And in June, a platoon stationed in Lithuania was recalled after accusations of racist and anti-Semitic behaviour. Security company According to Der Spiegel weekly, Arend-Adolf G. and Achim A. were paratroopers in the Bundeswehr and had later both worked for the controversial security company Asgaard. Asgaard, which actively recruits former members of special units of the Bundeswehr and the police, came under fire in 2010 for signing a contract with opponents of the Somali government. It also faced controversy in 2020 after German media exposed it as the hub of a wide-ranging right-wing extremist network. The Yemeni civil war began in 2014 when the Huthis seized the capital Sanaa, 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of Marib, prompting Saudi-led forces to intervene to prop up the government the following year. Tens of thousands of people have died and millions have been displaced in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The seven years of conflict have killed or injured at least 10,000 children, according to the United Nations children's fund, UNICEF.

Yemen unrest: Two ex-soldiers arrested in Germany over bid to form paramilitary unit

Several German soldiers have been suspected of organising a chat group relating to anti-Semitism, right-wing extremism and pornography.

According to Reuters, many of the 26 soldiers belong to a logistics unit in Neustadt am Ruebenberge in northern Germany, the defence ministry said in a report to parliament dated Friday and first reported by public ARD television.

Civilian and military prosecutors launched a probe immediately after the accusations became known in October.

Three of the soldiers have so far been banned from wearing a uniform and working for the military, the document said, without elaborating.

In a similar case in June, Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer disbanded a company of the army's elite KSK special forces after recurring incidents involving far-right extremism.

Several German soldiers have been suspected of organising a chat group relating to anti-Semitism, right-wing extremism and pornography. According to Reuters, many of the 26 soldiers belong to a logistics unit in Neustadt am Ruebenberge in northern Germany, the defence ministry said in a report to parliament dated Friday and first reported by public ARD television.

Several German soldiers have been suspected of organising a chat group relating to anti-Semitism, right-wing extremism and pornography. According to Reuters, many of the 26 soldiers belong to a logistics unit in Neustadt am Ruebenberge in northern Germany, the defence ministry said in a report to parliament dated Friday and first reported by public ARD television. Civilian and military prosecutors launched a probe immediately after the accusations became known in October. Three of the soldiers have so far been banned from wearing a uniform and working for the military, the document said, without elaborating. In a similar case in June, Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer disbanded a company of the army's elite KSK special forces after recurring incidents involving far-right extremism.

German troops suspected of running anti-Semitic chat group, report says

January 2 in History: From world getting its first air conditioner to Pathankot attacks

The German army is due to suspend a member of its elite KSK force on suspicion of far-right extremism, local media reported Sunday, in a new scandal to hit the armed forces.

Bild am Sonntag newspaper said the army has been covertly investigating him and two other soldiers and was prompted to take action against the man after its probe leaked.

Of the other two suspects, one has been stripped of the right to wear a German army uniform while the other has been classed as a suspicious case.

Both had allegedly made the banned Hitler salute during a private party hosted by the suspect who is to be suspended next week, according to the newspaper.

The elite KSK is charged with the sensitive and risky missions including hostage rescue operations or anti-terror action abroad.

But suspicions that some members are far-right leaning have always plagued the force.

The head of the military's counter-intelligence service Christof Gramm had said that there are around 20 suspicious cases at the KSK.

The armed forces has over the years repeatedly come under fire over embarrassing associations with Germany's militaristic past.&nbsp;

Last year, then defence minister Ursula von der Leyen ordered the military to cleanse itself of all links to the Wehrmacht, after learning that steel helmets and memorabilia of the Nazi-era army were openly displayed at one of its barracks.

She also ordered barracks still named after World War II figures, like field marshal Erwin Rommel, to be stripped of their names.&nbsp;

The German army is due to suspend a member of its elite KSK force on suspicion of far-right extremism, local media reported Sunday, in a new scandal to hit the armed forces.

The German army is due to suspend a member of its elite KSK force on suspicion of far-right extremism, local media reported Sunday, in a new scandal to hit the armed forces. Bild am Sonntag newspaper said the army has been covertly investigating him and two other soldiers and was prompted to take action against the man after its probe leaked. Of the other two suspects, one has been stripped of the right to wear a German army uniform while the other has been classed as a suspicious case. Both had allegedly made the banned Hitler salute during a private party hosted by the suspect who is to be suspended next week, according to the newspaper. The elite KSK is charged with the sensitive and risky missions including hostage rescue operations or anti-terror action abroad. But suspicions that some members are far-right leaning have always plagued the force. The head of the military's counter-intelligence service Christof Gramm had said that there are around 20 suspicious cases at the KSK. The armed forces has over the years repeatedly come under fire over embarrassing associations with Germany's militaristic past. Last year, then defence minister Ursula von der Leyen ordered the military to cleanse itself of all links to the Wehrmacht, after learning that steel helmets and memorabilia of the Nazi-era army were openly displayed at one of its barracks. She also ordered barracks still named after World War II figures, like field marshal Erwin Rommel, to be stripped of their names.

German army to suspend elite force member over far-right suspicion

The head of Germany&#39;s armed forces has called for an inspection of all army barracks after investigators discovered Nazi-era military memorabilia in a garrison, broadening a scandal about right-wing extremism among soldiers.

The discovery at a barracks in Donaueschingen, in southwest Germany, was made in an investigation that began after similar Nazi-era items were found in the garrison of an army officer arrested on suspicion of planning a racially motivated attack.

As a result, General Inspector Volker Wieker ordered a wider search of barracks.

&quot;The General Inspector has instructed that all properties be inspected to see whether rules on dealing with heritage with regard to the Wehrmacht and National Socialism are being observed,&quot; a Defence Ministry spokesman said.

Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said the military must root out right-wing extremism.

&quot;We must now investigate with all due rigour and with all candour in the armed forces,&quot; the minister told broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening. &quot;The process is starting now, and more is sure to come out. We are not through the worst of it yet.&quot;

Displaying Nazi items such as swastikas is punishable under German law, although possession of regular Wehrmacht items is not.&nbsp; 
Von der Leyen said last week, however, she would not tolerate the veneration of the Wehrmacht in today&#39;s army, the Bundeswehr.

Von der Leyen said the arrested officer - who had falsely registered as a Syrian refugee - had likely worked with others to squirrel away 1,000 rounds of ammunition, but the chief federal prosecutor was still investigating the matter.

The suspect&#39;s goal, she said, had likely been to carry out an attack and then pin the blame on migrants.

Von der Leyen said the military had not taken the threat of right-wing extremism seriously enough but that the Bundeswehr had also been busy dealing with other issues such as the rise of Islamic State and increasing military threats from Russia.

&quot;You have to have a reason to dig deeper,&quot; she said, noting that 18 members of the armed forces had in fact been dismissed for right-wing extremist views since 2012.

Von der Leyen provoked criticism from a soldiers&#39; group and some lawmakers last week when she criticised what she called &quot;weak leadership&quot; in the military after the officer&#39;s arrest on suspicion of planning a racist attack.

On Thursday, she apologised for the tone of her criticism of the military over its handling of the racism case, as she sought to contain a divisive row in the buildup to national elections in September.

A preliminary report into the inspection of all barracks is due on Tuesday, with final results due on May 16.

(Reuters)

The discovery at a barrack in southwest Germany was made in an investigation that began after similar Nazi-era items were found in the garrison of an army officer arrested on suspicion of planning a racially motivated attack

The head of Germany's armed forces has called for an inspection of all army barracks after investigators discovered Nazi-era military memorabilia in a garrison, broadening a scandal about right-wing extremism among soldiers. The discovery at a barracks in Donaueschingen, in southwest Germany, was made in an investigation that began after similar Nazi-era items were found in the garrison of an army officer arrested on suspicion of planning a racially motivated attack. As a result, General Inspector Volker Wieker ordered a wider search of barracks. "The General Inspector has instructed that all properties be inspected to see whether rules on dealing with heritage with regard to the Wehrmacht and National Socialism are being observed," a Defence Ministry spokesman said. Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said the military must root out right-wing extremism. "We must now investigate with all due rigour and with all candour in the armed forces," the minister told broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening. "The process is starting now, and more is sure to come out. We are not through the worst of it yet." Displaying Nazi items such as swastikas is punishable under German law, although possession of regular Wehrmacht items is not. Von der Leyen said last week, however, she would not tolerate the veneration of the Wehrmacht in today's army, the Bundeswehr. Von der Leyen said the arrested officer - who had falsely registered as a Syrian refugee - had likely worked with others to squirrel away 1,000 rounds of ammunition, but the chief federal prosecutor was still investigating the matter. The suspect's goal, she said, had likely been to carry out an attack and then pin the blame on migrants. Von der Leyen said the military had not taken the threat of right-wing extremism seriously enough but that the Bundeswehr had also been busy dealing with other issues such as the rise of Islamic State and increasing military threats from Russia. "You have to have a reason to dig deeper," she said, noting that 18 members of the armed forces had in fact been dismissed for right-wing extremist views since 2012. Von der Leyen provoked criticism from a soldiers' group and some lawmakers last week when she criticised what she called "weak leadership" in the military after the officer's arrest on suspicion of planning a racist attack. On Thursday, she apologised for the tone of her criticism of the military over its handling of the racism case, as she sought to contain a divisive row in the buildup to national elections in September. A preliminary report into the inspection of all barracks is due on Tuesday, with final results due on May 16. (Reuters)

German army orders barracks inspection after Nazi memorabilia found in garrison

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