The debate surrounding drone defense strategies has intensified in Germany, with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) voicing concerns over proposals to involve the armed forces in domestic drone countermeasures. While acknowledging the importance of the ongoing discussion, the SPD has expressed reservations regarding plans spearheaded by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU).
Falko Droßmann, the SPD’s defense policy spokesperson in the Bundestag, emphasized that assigning drone defense responsibilities to the military within Germany would place an untenable burden on already stretched resources. He stated, “If some states and the Interior Minister are now calling for the armed forces to also take over drone countermeasures within Germany, this must be rejected.
Droßmann’s reasoning centers on the current demands placed on German soldiers, who he noted are “exposed to significant provocations from Russia daily on land, at sea, in the air and in cyberspace”. He argues that adding domestic policing duties to these existing commitments would be impractical given the military’s existing obligations and challenges. He suggested that Interior Minister Dobrindt should focus on prioritizing tasks within the existing federal police capabilities instead.