Concerns regarding the increasing prevalence of drone activity are prompting calls for a nationwide drone defense system to be implemented across all German police forces. Jochen Kopelke, Chairman of the Police Union (GdP), has emphasized the necessity of equipping all regional police authorities with this capability.
While acknowledging that individual police departments already possess some capacity to protect events against drone threats, Kopelke highlighted a disparity in resources and technology. He stated that the rise in drone sightings and suspected drone espionage has transformed the issue from a specialized concern to a widespread and routine challenge.
The GdP chairman urged Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to prioritize the procurement of a proven and operational drone defense system for nationwide deployment. He suggested a streamlined approach involving commissioned orders to supply companies and a concurrent development of a training program for police personnel. This, Kopelke believes, would facilitate a rapid and effective response, extending protection to critical infrastructure and other sensitive locations.
Recent drone incursions over critical infrastructure in neighboring Denmark and Norway, suspected to originate from Russia, have heightened anxieties and contributed to the urgency of the situation. Reports of suspicious drone activity within Germany itself are also becoming increasingly common, further reinforcing the need for bolstered defenses.