Recent incidents involving drones in European airspace have prompted the German Interior Ministry to assess a heightened risk environment within Germany. A ministry spokesperson, speaking to “Handelsblatt”, emphasized that the threat landscape posed by drones is evolving rapidly, driven in part by ongoing technological advancements. As a direct response, efforts are underway to rapidly address vulnerabilities in Germany’s drone defense capabilities.
Currently, discussions are progressing towards a reform of the Federal Police Act and an adaptation of the Aviation Security Act. These legislative changes aim to bolster the country’s ability to detect and counter unauthorized drone activity.
Concerns are also being voiced by security agencies. Stephan Kramer, President of the Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution, highlighted a concerning trend of increasingly frequent and precisely targeted drone incidents, particularly impacting critical infrastructure. “We must urgently improve the detection and defense against these attacks” he stated in an interview with “Handelsblatt”. He pointed to a significant increase in drone sightings over both military installations and vital infrastructure facilities in recent months. The situation is compounded by Germany’s substantial support for Ukraine, placing it, according to Kramer, “high on the list of potential targets.
The head of the Federal Police Union, Heiko Teggatz, has also criticized the current lack of clear authority regarding the deployment and defense against drones. He warned of the significant risks posed by this ambiguity. “Drone attacks on our transport airports can cause considerable economic damage at best and cost lives at worst” Teggatz told “Handelsblatt”, underscoring the potential for devastating consequences.