Amid rising reports of illegal drone flights in Germany, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has launched a defense plan. Starting in December, a new Federal Police unit with 130 additional personnel will begin operations. The officers will detect and neutralize drones near airports and security-sensitive sites.
The move comes as reports of illegal drone flights become more frequent in Germany, according to Bild am Sonntag. The new drone defense unit of the Federal Police will operate decentrally, focusing on major airports, the capital, and security-relevant sites. Officers are tasked with detecting, intercepting, and shooting down drones, aided by helicopters for nationwide deployment.
"Drones and growing cyberattacks are a danger of the new hybrid threat, which we are resolutely countering," Dobrindt told the newspaper. "We are arming ourselves against the digital threat in the net and against the drone threat from the air." In October, the minister had announced plans to primarily use jamming signals against drones.
The federal government is investing 100 million euros short-term in modern drone defense technologies. The package includes radar detection, jamming equipment, and interceptor drones to identify and safely neutralize hazardous devices early. These steps aim to protect critical infrastructure and highlight growing concerns over hybrid threats.