Dobrindt to Establish Drone Defense Unit at Federal Police - Germany Bolsters Drone Defense: New Unit, Military Aid, International Cooperation
Drone incidents have escalated in recent weeks, prompting swift action from German authorities. Alexander Dobrindt has announced plans to establish a drone defense unit within the Federal Police, while a legal framework for military assistance is being set up quickly. The measures come in response to numerous sightings, including those over Danish airports and military facilities, and the potential involvement of a suspicious Russian vessel near Kiel.
Drones have been spotted over Schleswig-Holstein in the past week, with German authorities suspecting a connection to a roughly 100-meter-long tanker or freighter near Kiel, linked to hybrid espionage activities. Both Schleswig-Holstein's Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack and federal authorities such as the Bundespolizei and Bundeswehr are involved in the response and investigation.
Cooperation with Israel, Ukraine, European partners, and the EU Commission is planned to bolster drone defense. To keep pace technologically, a new drone defense center and a research and development unit will be established. Meanwhile, drone sightings have caused disruptions at Munich Airport, with around 6,500 passengers affected on Friday evening and around 3,000 on Thursday evening.
The establishment of a drone defense unit and the cooperation with international partners aim to strengthen Germany's response to drone incidents. The new center and research unit will help keep pace with technological advancements, ensuring effective countermeasures against potential threats.
