Dobrindt warns: Hybrid threats pose new risks on the Baltic Sea!

Dobrindt warns: Hybrid threats pose new risks on the Baltic Sea!

On July 14, 2025, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt visited the Federal Maritime Police forces in Neustadt. On board the operational ship “Neustadt”, Dobrindt gained an overview of the current operations of the Federal Police and spoke about the new threat situation on the Baltic Sea. The minister particularly drew attention to the entrenched hybrid threats posed by foreign actors, particularly Russia, in the form of acts of sabotage on submarine cables and pipelines. These attacks become the central target of such threats, which is why it is crucial for the Federal Maritime Police to respond quickly and precisely to these threats, both from the air and at sea.

In order to cope with the increasing threat, Dobrindt announced that the Federal Maritime Police will be equipped with its own drones in the future. These drones are used to create situation reports on suspicious ships and to increase the response ability of the emergency services. In this context, the minister emphasized the urgency of quickly introducing drone technology. Cooperation between the Federal Maritime Police, the Bundeswehr, the Navy and the intelligence services should also be intensified.

Team expansion and operational readiness

An important aspect that the Interior Minister addressed is the need for well-rehearsed processes and clearly defined responsibilities in crisis scenarios. Dobrindt made it clear that his previous visit to the Federal Police was related to the new challenges and technical requirements. The goal is therefore to implement necessary changes and purchases within the current electoral period.

The Federal Police plays a crucial role in protecting national security, especially at a time when hybrid threats are becoming increasingly important. A few weeks ago an event on this topic took place at the German Police University. From May 26 to 28, 2025, high-ranking leaders of national and international security authorities met there, including representatives of the Federal Police, the Federal Criminal Police Office and experts from Estonia, Finland and Ukraine. The aim was to exchange information about current developments and challenges in dealing with hybrid threats.

Assess and address changes

The mixed threats, which include both traditional and non-traditional forms of attack such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns, aim to specifically destabilize state structures. The event highlighted the urgency of sharing knowledge and experiences between the various security agencies and international partners. In this way, successful strategies from other countries can be presented and discussed in order to improve your own measures accordingly.

The Federal Maritime Police and its special unit, the GSG 9, are ready for the challenges of the future. With solid training and a clear focus on recruiting young talent in the field of emergency services, they show that a high level of commitment and camaraderie is essential. A report from komm-zur-bundespolizei.de emphasizes how important individual and team-building sports are in training in order to optimally prepare the teams for their everyday work.

The current challenges are not easy to overcome, but with clear structures, the latest technology such as drones and a strong team spirit, the Federal Maritime Police can make a decisive contribution to the security of the Federal Republic.

You can find more information about the Federal Maritime Police at ndr.de, via the GSG 9 komm-zur-bundespolizei.de and on the topic of hybrid threats dhpol.de.