Politics Germany and Australia cooperate in space and on the ground
Germany and Australia are further expanding their military cooperation in response to new threats. To this end, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) agreed with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles to set up an early warning system in space. A troop statute is to simplify and formalize the deployment of soldiers. Armaments cooperation is also to be promoted.
26.03.2026, 07:53
26.03.2026, 07:54
SDA
"Armaments cooperation plays a central role. Due to the war in the Middle East, we are now experiencing how quickly resources are becoming scarce, including military resources such as ammunition, but above all air defense," said the SPD politician. It would also be advisable in future to no longer "put all our eggs in one basket", added Pistorius, explaining: "Our dependency in the past was too one-sided, whether it was supply chains with China or certain weapons systems only from the USA or elsewhere."
"We need to diversify more and gain other partners in order to ultimately be able to make affordable military equipment available in large numbers," said Pistorius. Marles spoke of a very important moment. "In a world of challenges, I feel more confident after the kind of conversation we had today," said Marles.
Pistorius ends Asia trip "Down Under"
Australia is the third and final stop on the Minister of Defense's trip, which had previously taken him to Japan and Singapore and included the heads of major German defence companies in his delegation. The Minister is thus supporting the strengthening of armaments cooperation. During the trip, he praised the quality of German submarines as the best in the world and mentioned - with a twinkle in his eye - that his merchant's clerk certificate was once his first step into the world of work.
Following the example of other NATO partners, the Ministry of Defense is also just beginning to expand government transactions for arms deliveries. Other countries can join existing procurement projects for the Bundeswehr for a fee. Loan guarantees are also part of the plans.
Australia has a modern laser weapon on offer
On the outskirts of Canberra, the Minister visited the Australian defense company Electro Optic Systems (EOS), which offers the "Apollo" laser weapon for combating drones. The system is offered in a container - with lasers in the 50 to 150 kilowatt power class. EOS made Pistorius an offer to purchase 10 systems with a power of 100 kilowatts for 380 million euros - a price that is far below previous German plans.
"Apollo" is advertised as being able to destroy drones at a distance of between 50 meters and 3 kilometers ("hard kill") and disrupt them up to a distance of 15 kilometers ("optical sensor denial"). According to the company, this weapon can shoot down 20 drones per minute. The container's energy supply is therefore sufficient for 200 laser strikes. It then requires a power supply.
EOS also offers the "Atlas" laser weapon, which is designed to blind or destroy enemy satellites. EOS has announced its intention to relocate its headquarters to Germany or the Netherlands.
Australia and Germany have a strategic partnership
The German Ministry of Defense describes Australia as one of Germany's most important security and defence policy partners in the southern Indo-Pacific. The two countries have had a strategic partnership since 2013, which was expanded in 2021. This also includes joint military exercises such as "Talisman Sabre" and "Pitch Black".
German space sensor technology will also be a topic during the trip. The Bundeswehr is to invest more than 35 billion euros in space systems over the next few years. A global network for monitoring the space situation will also be set up. With the recently signed declaration of intent to station space sensors in Australia, both countries are creating the basis for increased cooperation.
Rheinmetall is already involved in the ongoing armaments cooperation. The arms manufacturer has production facilities and maintenance capacities in Australia. Military vehicles, platforms and turrets are developed, manufactured and maintained there for the Australian armed forces and for export. This also includes the Boxer wheeled armored vehicle. This is built in variants for the Australian Army and also for Germany.
