Berlin, Germany — German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced on Saturday plans to overhaul Germany’s aviation security law, giving the armed forces a formal role in defending against drones, including the authority to shoot down hostile aircraft. The proposed changes are in response to the increasing number of drone intrusions over Germany and neighboring countries.
What Happened
Dobrindt, speaking in Berlin, highlighted the growing threat posed by drones, ranging from small commercial quadcopters to coordinated swarms. He referred to this as a “constant hybrid threat” and emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to counter these intrusions. “We are experiencing an arms race—between drone threats and drone defense. This is a race we cannot afford to lose,” Dobrindt stated.
The announcement follows a spike in drone incursions across Denmark and northern Germany, with authorities becoming increasingly concerned about security and espionage. Notably, Copenhagen’s main airport had to shut down for hours earlier this week due to the presence of large drones in restricted airspace.
What Happens Next
Dobrindt’s legislative proposal has two key pillars aimed at improving Germany’s drone defense:
- National Drone Defense Center: The government will establish a centralized drone defense center that will pool resources from the federal police, state police, the federal criminal office, and the German armed forces (Bundeswehr). This center will coordinate research, pool budgets, and manage technologies such as drone jamming systems, takeover systems, and drone-on-drone countermeasures.
- Amendments to the Aviation Security Act: The new legislation will amend Germany’s Aviation Security Act, originally passed in 2005. The revised law would give the Bundeswehr the authority to assist civilian authorities when police resources are insufficient. This could include the use of force to neutralize threatening drones, including the option to shoot down drones.
Legal and Constitutional Considerations
The proposed changes to the law raise legal questions, as the Bundeswehr is constitutionally restricted from conducting routine domestic security tasks. The German constitution limits military involvement in domestic affairs, reserving it for situations such as disaster relief when formally requested by civilian authorities. However, Dobrindt has stressed that these new measures are necessary to counter the escalating drone threat.
What Happens Next
Despite the legal challenges, the amendments to the aviation security law are expected to be presented to parliament in the autumn of 2025, with the hope of passing them into law to strengthen Germany’s drone defense capabilities.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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