The legislative initiative follows a surge of drone intrusions in Denmark and northern Germany, heightening security and espionage concerns. Denmark has reported drone sightings at multiple airports and military sites. Copenhagen’s main airport was recently closed for hours as large drones entered restricted airspace.
Dobrindt’s proposal consists of two main components. Firstly, he plans to create a national drone defense center integrating resources from federal and state police, the federal criminal office, and the German armed forces, or Bundeswehr.
This center would consolidate budgets, advance research projects, and coordinate technologies for interception, including jamming, takeover systems, and “drone-on-drone” countermeasures.
Secondly, the government aims to amend Germany’s Aviation Security Act, established in 2005, to explicitly allow Bundeswehr involvement in assisting civilian authorities when police resources are inadequate.
Dobrindt emphasized the possibility of shooting down drones.
Currently, German regulations limit police to using signal disruption or net systems, failing to counter larger or militarized drones adequately. Extending military involvement in domestic airspace poses legal challenges.
Per Germany’s constitution, the Bundeswehr is restricted from routine domestic security duties, only permitted for disaster relief when officially requested by civil authorities.
Nevertheless, the proposed amendments are set to be introduced to parliament this autumn, according to Dobrindt.
Leave a Reply