Germany's defence against drones is set to be bolstered by the end of the year after multiple sightings caused concern in recent weeks, reported dpa.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Cabinet on Wednesday approved an amendment to the Federal Police Act, a 30-year-old law that does not mention drones.
"Drone incidents threaten our security," Merz wrote on X following the decision. "We will not allow this to happen.
"We are strengthening the powers of the Federal Police so that drones can be tracked down and repelled more quickly in future," he added.
Authorities across Europe are scrambling to respond to a series of incidents involving drones that have been widely attributed to Russia, despite Moscow's denials.
Last week, Munich Airport was forced to suspend operations on consecutive days due to separate sightings.
The German response has been complicated by the country's federal security apparatus, with powers distributed across a wide range of agencies at the state and national level, and concerns over the legality of involving the country's military, the Bundeswehr, in domestic defence operations.
In addition, authorities are uncertain how to deal with unidentified drones in the country's airspace.
The Bavarian state government on Tuesday approved a bill to grant the state's police force the authority to shoot down drones if deemed necessary, but defence experts warn that debris can endanger civilians.
Other options include the use of physical barriers such as nets, while the deployment of defensive drones is a key focus.
Dobrindt extends Federal Police powers
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has promised to equip the Federal Police – which is responsible for border control, the protection of institutions and law enforcement at railways and airports – with its own drone defence unit by the end of the year.
In addition, a joint drone defence centre for federal and state authorities is also to enter operation this year, aiming to deepen cooperation and pool competencies.
Dobrindt is also envisaging an amendment to the Aviation Security Act, in order to legally enable the Bundeswehr to provide administrative assistance in the event of drone threats, for example when military drones are located at high altitudes.
The draft bill agreed on Wednesday explicitly tasks the Federal Police with defending against drones around airports, railway infrastructure and ships.
It allows the force to deploy its own drones, for instance in monitoring demonstrations.
A new paragraph states: "To defend against the danger posed by unmanned vehicle systems operated on land, in the air or on water, the Federal Police may use suitable technical means against the system, its control unit or operation link if defence against the danger would be futile or significantly more difficult using other measures."
The German police union welcomed the decision, arguing the plans offer "new opportunities to protect the public and improve the fight against crime."
Further powers criticized by The Left
The bill – which requires parliamentary approval – includes further extensions of the Federal Police's powers.
The force is to be granted additional capabilities in tapping phones and collecting location data, detaining foreign nationals under deportation orders and carrying out "random checks without cause" in transport hubs where weapons and knives are prohibited.
The Left's Clara Bünger warned the bill "reads like a guide to the surveillance state."
"It will not create security, but will lead to an erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms," she said.
- Germany
- Police
- Drone
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
