Ulrike Franke
@rikefranke.bsky.social
Senior Fellow at European Council on Foreign Relations. #Drone politics PhD @ox.ac.uk. Previously at, and now teaching @SciencesPo.bsky.social. Writes about all things #Germany #Defence #miltech. Podcast host at @SicherheitsPod.de & LeCollimateur
Pinned
Ulrike Franke
@rikefranke.bsky.social
· Sep 24
Ulrike Franke erklärt Sicherheitspolitik wie keine andere. Was wir von ihr lernen können
Ulrike Franke ist eine der bekanntesten Sicherheitsexperten im deutschsprachigen Raum. Sie prophezeit das Schlechte und hofft auf das Gute. Europa kann viel von ihr lernen. Ein Porträt.
www.nzz.ch
The “drone wall” can’t be the solution to all our security problems. Suggesting differently is unwise.
My comments in the recent @dgap.org discussion.
Full debate: m.youtube.com/watch?v=1xLc...
My comments in the recent @dgap.org discussion.
Full debate: m.youtube.com/watch?v=1xLc...
November 22, 2025 at 9:19 AM
The “drone wall” can’t be the solution to all our security problems. Suggesting differently is unwise.
My comments in the recent @dgap.org discussion.
Full debate: m.youtube.com/watch?v=1xLc...
My comments in the recent @dgap.org discussion.
Full debate: m.youtube.com/watch?v=1xLc...
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
It’s getting cold outside, better prepare.
November 5, 2024 at 10:31 AM
It’s getting cold outside, better prepare.
Well wouldn’t that be something
November 21, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Well wouldn’t that be something
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
🎧New week, new podcast!
Mark Leonard is joined by @rikefranke.bsky.social to unpack the crisis around Europe’s Future Combat Air System. @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social.
https://ecfr.eu/podcasts/episode/the-future-of-european-air-defence/
Mark Leonard is joined by @rikefranke.bsky.social to unpack the crisis around Europe’s Future Combat Air System. @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social.
https://ecfr.eu/podcasts/episode/the-future-of-european-air-defence/
The future of European air defence
Mark Leonard welcomes Ulrike Franke to unpack the crisis around Europe’s Future Combat Air System…
ecfr.eu
November 21, 2025 at 9:07 AM
🎧New week, new podcast!
Mark Leonard is joined by @rikefranke.bsky.social to unpack the crisis around Europe’s Future Combat Air System. @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social.
https://ecfr.eu/podcasts/episode/the-future-of-european-air-defence/
Mark Leonard is joined by @rikefranke.bsky.social to unpack the crisis around Europe’s Future Combat Air System. @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social.
https://ecfr.eu/podcasts/episode/the-future-of-european-air-defence/
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
mister Keir Starmer sir everyone hates you anyway just ban ChatGPT and Twitter and then resign, it's not like it's going to get better anyway, do this for the greater good
November 20, 2025 at 2:57 PM
mister Keir Starmer sir everyone hates you anyway just ban ChatGPT and Twitter and then resign, it's not like it's going to get better anyway, do this for the greater good
“Not the solution, but a step in the right direction” - some thoughts on the new law that allows the Bundeswehr to help local police with drone interception. (WDR Aktuelle Stunde)
November 20, 2025 at 7:02 PM
“Not the solution, but a step in the right direction” - some thoughts on the new law that allows the Bundeswehr to help local police with drone interception. (WDR Aktuelle Stunde)
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
Now that’s a lede.
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
November 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Now that’s a lede.
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Story by @taracopp.bsky.social and @michelleboorstein.bsky.social.
Read here: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
Clip from @sicherheitspod.de 100th episode, recorded in front of a brilliant audience in Hamburg!
November 6, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Clip from @sicherheitspod.de 100th episode, recorded in front of a brilliant audience in Hamburg!
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
Britain’s DragonFire laser has destroyed high speed drones during recent trials at the Hebrides range, with the Ministry of Defence announcing a £316m contract for MBDA UK to deliver the first ship fitted systems from 2027.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-lase...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-lase...
British laser weapon downs drones off coast of Scotland
Britain’s DragonFire laser has destroyed high speed drones during recent trials at the Hebrides range, with the Ministry of Defence announcing a £316m contract for MBDA UK to deliver the first ship fitted systems from 2027.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Britain’s DragonFire laser has destroyed high speed drones during recent trials at the Hebrides range, with the Ministry of Defence announcing a £316m contract for MBDA UK to deliver the first ship fitted systems from 2027.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-lase...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-lase...
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
The government has given further details on the incident in which a laser was directed at British military personnel from the Russian vessel Yantar, a ship linked to Moscow’s deep sea intelligence programme.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-condemns-...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-condemns-...
UK condemns laser incident involving Russian vessel Yantar
The government has given further details on the incident in which a laser was directed at British military personnel from the Russian vessel Yantar, a ship linked to Moscow’s deep sea intelligence programme.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:02 AM
The government has given further details on the incident in which a laser was directed at British military personnel from the Russian vessel Yantar, a ship linked to Moscow’s deep sea intelligence programme.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-condemns-...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-condemns-...
Oui.
« Dans un monde idéal où on s’entendrait hyper bien avec les Allemands »
November 19, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Oui.
Quite the thread… 🙈
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.
November 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Quite the thread… 🙈
Number 1, 2, and 3 of the French political bestseller list are by far right politicians. What do they write about? Article by @meltchaninoff.bsky.social
www.philomag.com/articles/bar...
www.philomag.com/articles/bar...
Bardella, Villiers, Zemmour : trois styles pour une seule idée
« Ce week-end, j’ai travaillé pour vous. J’ai lu les livres de Jordan Bardella, d’Éric Zemmour et de Philippe de Villiers, qui viennent de paraître chez Fayard…
www.philomag.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Number 1, 2, and 3 of the French political bestseller list are by far right politicians. What do they write about? Article by @meltchaninoff.bsky.social
www.philomag.com/articles/bar...
www.philomag.com/articles/bar...
Are there any recent* articles (academic or other) which you feel have to be on a reading list of a class on new military technology?
#syllabuswriting
*like, published in the last 2 years.
#syllabuswriting
*like, published in the last 2 years.
November 19, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Are there any recent* articles (academic or other) which you feel have to be on a reading list of a class on new military technology?
#syllabuswriting
*like, published in the last 2 years.
#syllabuswriting
*like, published in the last 2 years.
In a seminar, we once had to calculate the cost of an F35 jet. It was a group work and the groups arrived at vastly different numbers - because it depends what you include in the calculation. There is not one correct number.
Useful reminder how difficult it is to correctly calculate the cost - and the benefit - of counterdrone measures (as well as other defence systems).
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
The Hidden Cost of a Missile: Why the Headlines Get Cost Wrong
Since late 2023, the U.S. Navy has fired nearly $1 billion worth of munitions to protect ships in the Red Sea from low-cost Houthi drones and missiles.
warontherocks.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:32 AM
In a seminar, we once had to calculate the cost of an F35 jet. It was a group work and the groups arrived at vastly different numbers - because it depends what you include in the calculation. There is not one correct number.
Useful reminder how difficult it is to correctly calculate the cost - and the benefit - of counterdrone measures (as well as other defence systems).
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
The Hidden Cost of a Missile: Why the Headlines Get Cost Wrong
Since late 2023, the U.S. Navy has fired nearly $1 billion worth of munitions to protect ships in the Red Sea from low-cost Houthi drones and missiles.
warontherocks.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Useful reminder how difficult it is to correctly calculate the cost - and the benefit - of counterdrone measures (as well as other defence systems).
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
“Europe’s weakness on security had negated its potential strength on trade. One form of frailty had led to another.”
on.ft.com/4r82M79
The scramble for Europe is just beginning
on.ft.com/4r82M79
The scramble for Europe is just beginning
The scramble for Europe is just beginning
As the EU struggles to defend its interests, outside powers play divide and rule
on.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:12 AM
“Europe’s weakness on security had negated its potential strength on trade. One form of frailty had led to another.”
on.ft.com/4r82M79
The scramble for Europe is just beginning
on.ft.com/4r82M79
The scramble for Europe is just beginning
German armed forces train in the centre of Berlin.
@wiegold.de was there and has all the details: augengeradeaus.net/2025/11/kamp...
@wiegold.de was there and has all the details: augengeradeaus.net/2025/11/kamp...
November 19, 2025 at 7:54 AM
German armed forces train in the centre of Berlin.
@wiegold.de was there and has all the details: augengeradeaus.net/2025/11/kamp...
@wiegold.de was there and has all the details: augengeradeaus.net/2025/11/kamp...
So, is today the day that FCAS’ next generation weapon system (NGWS aka the actual aircraft) will be abandoned?
Looks like it.
Looks like it.
November 19, 2025 at 6:06 AM
So, is today the day that FCAS’ next generation weapon system (NGWS aka the actual aircraft) will be abandoned?
Looks like it.
Looks like it.
November 18, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
Talk about hitching your wagon to the wrong star.
NASA confirms Earth has a new 'mini moon' that will accompany us for the next 50 years
Astronomers detect the new quasi-satellite 2025 PN7, a small asteroid that will accompany Earth until 2083.
www.earth.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Talk about hitching your wagon to the wrong star.
France, I am trying to pay my taxes. Really. Why are you like this 😭
(Managed to have someone on the phone, after, like, 7 tries. Now I need to go somewhere in person. 😫😫😫)
(Managed to have someone on the phone, after, like, 7 tries. Now I need to go somewhere in person. 😫😫😫)
If I become ruler of the world, I will make it illegal for government services to put you into a phone waiting queue (once they made you go through a whole “press X if you etc press Y if…” ) and then a few minutes later terminate the call and telling you to call another time.
November 18, 2025 at 10:37 AM
France, I am trying to pay my taxes. Really. Why are you like this 😭
(Managed to have someone on the phone, after, like, 7 tries. Now I need to go somewhere in person. 😫😫😫)
(Managed to have someone on the phone, after, like, 7 tries. Now I need to go somewhere in person. 😫😫😫)
Yeah, that was tremendous fun! @benaaronovitch.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Yeah, that was tremendous fun! @benaaronovitch.bsky.social
100 Rafale jets for Ukraine.
Probably.
Maybe.
If someone finds the money for it.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
Probably.
Maybe.
If someone finds the money for it.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
La promesse de vente de Rafale à l’Ukraine, une annonce forte au financement très incertain
Comme toutes les lettres d’intention, celle signée par Emmanuel Macron et Volodymyr Zelensky, lundi, n’est pas un contrat en bonne et due forme, mais la simple formalisation de négociations en cours.
www.lemonde.fr
November 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
100 Rafale jets for Ukraine.
Probably.
Maybe.
If someone finds the money for it.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
Probably.
Maybe.
If someone finds the money for it.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...