Parliamentary Request Targets Alliance Defence Vulnerabilities
Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has submitted a formal inquiry to the federal government requesting detailed information about NATO vulnerabilities identified during military exercises in Estonia last year. The request has triggered significant concern among security officials and coalition politicians who fear such parliamentary questions could compromise alliance defence capabilities. The query specifically seeks data on weak points exposed during the Hedgehog 2025 drills, including drone defence systems, electronic warfare capabilities, command coordination, and mobile force protection measures.
Estonian Exercises Revealed Critical Defence Gaps
During the multinational Hedgehog 2025 manoeuvres, Ukrainian specialists with battlefield experience in unmanned systems successfully simulated the elimination of NATO units, exposing apparent deficiencies in conventional defence structures. The participation of Ukrainian personnel provided real-world combat insights that tested alliance readiness against contemporary asymmetric threats. These revelations have become the focal point of the AfD’s parliamentary inquiry, which requests comprehensive documentation of the specific vulnerabilities demonstrated during the exercises.
Security Services Document Pattern of Sensitive Requests
German interior ministry officials have compiled a list of 58 separate investigations initiated by the AfD since October 2024 that target sensitive infrastructure and defence systems. The catalogue includes queries about police IT networks, anti-drone protection measures, military transport routes, energy grids, and water supply networks. Coalition representatives argue this systematic approach to gathering sensitive information represents a potential national security threat, as it could reveal critical weaknesses that hostile actors might exploit in future conflicts.
Political Reactions Highlight Intelligence Concerns
Governing coalition politicians have expressed alarm that the parliamentary requests could inadvertently disclose defence vulnerabilities to foreign adversaries. They note that while parliamentary oversight is legitimate, the specific nature and frequency of these inquiries suggest motives beyond routine legislative scrutiny. Security analysts have raised particular concerns about the timing and focus of the requests, coming amid heightened tensions between NATO and Russia following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Party Denials Contrast with Documented Russian Links
AfD representatives have vigorously denied any malicious intent, characterising their inquiries as standard parliamentary work aimed at strengthening national defence and security. However, numerous journalistic investigations have documented extensive contacts between party members and Russian political figures, including representatives of the United Russia party and other pro-Kremlin groups. The party has consistently articulated narratives that align with Moscow’s strategic interests, including advocating for reduced European integration and criticising sanctions against Russia.
Broader Implications for Alliance Security Cooperation
The incident has raised questions about how NATO members manage sensitive information sharing within their own political systems. Security experts warn that if potentially classified defence data becomes accessible through routine parliamentary mechanisms, it could undermine trust in intelligence sharing between alliance partners. The situation highlights the evolving challenge of protecting military secrets in democratic systems where parliamentary transparency must be balanced against operational security requirements, particularly when political parties maintain documented relationships with adversarial governments.
