Germany is seeking to deepen cyberdefense cooperation with Israel, including a joint cyber research center and enhanced intelligence collaboration, as part of a broader strategy to build a national “Cyber Dome” system, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Sunday during a visit to Israel.

Civil Defense: Germany’s Next Strategic Focus

"Military defense alone is not sufficient for this turning point in security," Dobrindt stated, highlighting Germany's intent to bolster its civil defense capacities alongside its military. He called for a “significant upgrade in civil defense” to meet mounting threats, particularly from Russia and China.

The initiative comes shortly after Friedrich Merz was sworn in as German Chancellor, marking a shift toward more assertive defense policies in Europe.

Blueprint for a ‘Cyber Dome’

Dobrindt presented a five-point plan to establish a German “Cyber Dome” that mirrors elements of Israel’s air defense network. The proposal would involve advanced threat detection, real-time response coordination, and civilian-military tech integration.

Parallel to these plans, Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Soeder has called for Germany to acquire 2,000 interceptor missiles and build an “Iron Dome”-like system for short-range threats.

Intelligence and Tech Partnership with Israel

Germany views Israel as a top European ally in cybersecurity. The proposed center would enhance cooperation between the countries' intelligence services and link their cyberdefense architectures. Berlin is particularly interested in Israeli innovations in AI-based threat detection and infrastructure protection.