ELNET’s Security & DefenseInitiative
A high-level platform strengthening Europe–Israel cooperation on the strategic security and defense challenges shaping the continent.
ELNET’s Security & Defense InitiativeLaunched on 10 July 2025
- 10 July 2025
- Berlin
- 70+ guests
- Politics & Bundeswehr
- Academia, science & industry
ESDI is a high-level platform dedicated to strengthening Europe-Israel cooperation on strategic security and defense challenges. Bringing together senior policymakers, military leaders, diplomats, and leading experts, ESDI fosters informed dialogue and practical partnerships on issues such as regional stability, counterterrorism, hybrid threats, cybersecurity, and emerging defense technologies. Through conferences, closed-door briefings, delegations, and policy-driven exchanges, ESDI helps build lasting networks between European and Israeli decision-makers and contributes to a deeper shared understanding of today’s rapidly evolving security environment.
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.
At the launch
- Politics
- Bundeswehr
- Academia & science
- Industry
- Air defense
- Digitalization & AI
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The German–Israeli Defense CooperationFrom confidential contacts to an open partnership
- Policy briefing
- Germany & Israel
- 60th anniversary
- Air defense
- Defense technology
In 2025, the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Israel mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations. However, defense cooperation between the two countries reaches back a decade further. What initially began as strictly confidential cooperation gave way in the 1990s to an open partnership, which steadily deepened and is more diverse than ever today. Check the ESDI’s latest paper on the subject –>
ESDI policy briefing · The German–Israeli defense cooperation
Cooperation on Unmanned Aerial SystemsFrom the Heron 1 to a shared technological frontier
- Policy briefing
- MALE drones
- Bundeswehr
- Israel
Cooperation between Germany and Israel in the field of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) has been revolutionary, at least for the Federal Republic. With the leasing of Israel’s Heron 1, the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) for the first time operated a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone whose reconnaissance capabil ities significantly enhanced the protection of German troops deployed abroad in Afghanistan and Mali. The subsequent procurement of the Heron TP and the long-debated decision in Berlin to arm these systems symbolized Germany’s gradual departure from its traditional posture of strategic restraint toward a policy defined by security necessities.
ESDI policy briefing · Counter-UAS
Defending Against the Small Drone RevolutionGerman–Israeli perspectives on new security frontiers
- ESDI report
- Counter-UAS
- Hybrid threats
- Germany & Israel
Small drones (sUAS) have become a defining feature of modern conflict and hybrid security challenges. Their democratized production, dual-use nature, and ease of modification allow a wide range of actors to exploit them for hostile purposes. During the visit of the German Minister of the Interior to Israel in Janu ary 2026, both countries agreed to strengthen their security cooperation including intensified colaboration on counter-drone capabilities (C-UAS).
ESDI report · Defending against the small drone revolution
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A growing Europe–Israel security community
Space reserved for the initiative’s gallery — briefings, delegations and conferences convened by ESDI across Europe and Israel.