German Intelligence Services Seeking Budget Increase of Over $170Mln in 2017
09:46 08.09.2016(updated 10:40 08.09.2016)
Two German intelligence services, the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), have requested a budget increase of over 152 million euros ($171 million) amid heightened terrorism and the threat of cyberattacks, local media reported, citing secret budget documents.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Germany's Federal Intelligence Service requested an increase of 12 percent, which would result in a total budget of 808 million euros, while the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution demanded an 18-percent hike, which would result in them being able to obtain a 307 million euro budget, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported.
The BND plans to spend more on the decryption of messengers, which are popular among criminals and terrorists, since out of 70 communication services it can only decipher 10.
The BfV says it needs more funding to close the technological gap, as it has to cooperate with agencies like the US National Security Agency (NSA) to perform its own duties. It also cites the need to expand networking with other security agencies and create 55 new jobs in countering both far-left and far-right extremists and Islamist terrorism. The office also intends to spend another 4.5 million euros on cyberdefense.
The German Interior Ministry has proposed a set of new security measures, including an increase in the number of police officers by 15,000 people in the wake of the two lone-wolf attacks in Bavaria in July. Responsibility for both attacks was claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group, which is banned in Germany and Russia as well as many other countries.
© Sputnik
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