Germany and Israel share a long-standing history of cooperation in security policy. However, in light of global threats and rapid technological change, new forms of collaboration are needed. This is precisely the focus of ELNET’s Security and Defense Initiative (ESDI): to deepen strategic dialogue, unlock joint innovation potential and establish a sustainable and structurally sound partnership.
High-Level Kick-Off in Berlin
On July 10, the ESDI was officially launched at the Representation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to the Federal Government. Over 70 guests from politics, the Bundeswehr, academia, science and industry attended the event to discuss Israel’s future role as a partner in the fields of security and defense. Key topics included air defense, digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence – areas in which Israel is considered one of the world’s technological pioneers.
Dr. Peter Tschentscher, First Mayor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, opened the event with personal reflections on his recent visit to Israel and highlighted the strong ties between Hamburg and the Jewish state. In his keynote speech, Inspector General Carsten Breuer underscored the importance of closer integration between the two countries’ defense ecosystems.
He emphasized how Israel’s innovative edge and Germany’s industrial strength could complement one another – and picked up on the idea of a German-Israeli Defense Tech Hub. MP Thomas Röwekamp, Chair of the Defense Committee, also advocated for a broader public debate on security policy in Germany. Israel, he argued, could serve as a role model – not only due to its technological prowess, but also for its social and national resilience.
Strategic Partnership on Equal Footing
A highlight of the event was the panel discussion featuring retired Major General Amikam Norkin, Commander of the Israeli Air Force until 2022, and Prof. Dr. Carlo Masala of the Bundeswehr University in Munich. The conversation focused on recent developments in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran conflict as well as the security implications of the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Both experts highlighted key operational and structural lessons the Bundeswehr could draw from the Israeli Defense Forces, especially in areas such as procurement, reaction speed and operational effectiveness in asymmetric conflict and threat scenarios.
From Vision to Implementation
Building on the momentum of the successful launch, the ESDI will now work to bring together decision-makers and experts from both countries in a variety of formats. In addition to developing policy recommendations, the initiative aims to turn the enormous potential of German-Israeli cooperation into concrete, future-oriented projects – practical in scope, open to innovation and technology-driven.
The kick-off event was supported by DND Digital, Code Blue by Dussmann, Elbit Systems, IAI, Lufthansa Technik, Renk, Rohde & Schwarz and Werter.
