Reports: Germany to increase security, espionage spending

BERLIN – German media are reporting that lawmakers have agreed to increase spending for the country's security and spy agencies.

The Welt daily reports that a package of measures passed by Parliament's budgetary committee will see an additional 3,250 federal police hired in the coming years.

Citing lawmakers, the newspaper reported Friday that staffing plans for a new agency designed to break encrypted communication have been doubled to 120.

Spending on programs for civil protection and migrants will also be increased, pending parliamentary approval.

Separately, German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reports that the country's BND spy agency is to receive its own dedicated satellite.

Until now the agency has relied on satellite imagery taken by the German army or allied intelligence agencies.