Reports indicate a significant increase in unauthorized drone flights across Germany this year, according to inquiries conducted by “Welt” among the state interior ministries of all 16 federal states. The incidents primarily involve data pertaining to drone technology, sensor systems and deployment strategies, with a particular focus on sightings near military installations and other critical infrastructure.
Brandenburg has reported 35 drone sightings over military facilities in the first nine months of this year alone – a threefold increase compared to the entirety of last year. Similar drone-related incidents have been registered near industrial plants and airports, albeit in the mid-single-digit range.
Lower Saxony’s interior ministry recorded “272 incidents involving unknown flying objects or unusual lights in the sky”. This is a stark contrast to the 131 incidents documented in 2022 concerning critical infrastructure and military installations.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s interior ministry provided specifics on the locations of drone incidents. Past reports include sightings near the Bundeswehr property in Putgarten and a police facility. Critical infrastructure along the Baltic Sea has also been targeted; three instances involved drones circling over the Lubmin industrial harbor. Authorities additionally logged suspicious aerial movements near the Mukran LNG terminal and a drone sighting near the nuclear power plant supply facility in Rubenow. They have already documented 68 such occurrences this year.
The motivation behind these flights remains largely unknown in most cases. A spokesperson for the Baden-Württemberg interior ministry stated, “Attributing these incidents to a foreign intelligence service is generally difficult”. Interior Minister Thomas Strobl emphasized, “We are neither at war nor fully at peace. We must strengthen nationwide drone defense capabilities”. He stated that effective action requires a coordinated effort between the federal government and states, enhanced drone detection and defense capabilities and close collaboration between law enforcement and the armed forces. “Those who delay risk falling behind in the rapid development of drone technology.
Saxon Interior Minister Armin Schuster has suggested the creation of specialized units. “Given the current security situation, the question arises whether the Federal Republic of Germany needs to re-establish a paramilitary federal police force, similar to the Gendarmerie in France. This question should be assessed by the National Security Council”.