The escalating use of drones presents a growing threat to German security, prompting a call for centralized control and a more proactive response from the federal government. Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier has publicly urged Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to assume central responsibility for drone defense, citing a “chaotic jumble of competencies” hindering effective action. Maier’s criticism underscores a growing concern that individual states lack the resources and expertise to adequately address the evolving threat landscape.
Maier’s call for action isn’t isolated. Konstantin von Notz, parliamentary group deputy chairman of the Green Party, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the Bundesverfassungsgericht’s rulings provide the legal basis for the federal government to consolidate authority. Von Notz asserted that the current division of responsibilities compromises national security and that Dobrindt must “take responsibility and place the hat of leadership upon the Federal Interior Ministry.
The concern stems from what officials describe as a “hybrid threat” orchestrated, in part, by Russia, aimed at destabilizing Germany. This threat is perceived as escalating rapidly, demanding an immediate and unified response. The absence of a national situational picture and a comprehensive action plan, as pointed out by Maier, is seen as a critical deficiency.
While Dobrindt is scheduled to officially commission a federal police drone defense unit and a shared federal-state drone defense center is planned for this year, critics argue these initiatives lack the overarching coordination and authority necessary for truly effective countermeasures. The current envisioned system, where federal police and state police share responsibility with the Bundeswehr able to request assistance, risks remaining fragmented and reactive.
The debate highlights a fundamental tension between regional autonomy and the need for a coordinated, national security response in the face of increasingly sophisticated hybrid warfare tactics. Concerns remain focused on ensuring swift, decisive action instead of navigating bureaucratic hurdles and jurisdictional disputes, particularly given the potentially accelerating nature of the drone threat in the coming months. The question now is whether Dobrindt and the federal government will heed the criticism and consolidate control before the situation further deteriorates.