Germany announced it will allow police to shoot down unauthorized drones, such as the ones that have snarled travel at European airports. German officials have linked the drone sightings to a hybrid war initiated by The Kremlin.
The cabinet drafted the legislation on Wednesday and awaits approval from lawmakers. The new law would authorize police to take down drones that enter German airspace illegally, including shooting them down if they are seen as a sudden threat or pose serious harm. Other tactics permitted under the provisions include employing lasers or jamming the signals of drones to disable them.
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Police would be granted the power to shoot down drones at tree level while the military would be in charge of taking down more powerful and higher altitude drones.
Counter-drone unit to be established
Under the law, German authorities would also establish a counter-drone unit that would consult with Israeli and Ukrainian officials who are more experienced with the technology, according to officials.
“Drone incidents threaten our security,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on social media. “We will not permit that. We are strengthening the Federal Police’s powers so that drones can be detected and countered more quickly in the future.”
Dozens of drone sightings snarl flights in Munich
The new measure comes days after dozens of flights were diverted or canceled due to unauthorized drone sightings at Munich Airport. Thousands of passengers were stranded as a result of the security measures. Merz said he suspects Moscow is behind the drones flying over his country, but noted that none were weaponized and were most likely for surveillance flights.
Analysts have also raised the possibility that the drones spotted across Europe could be launched from within the EU.
EU officials urge action against Russian threat
European Union leaders have determined Russia to be a major threat to the region’s safety after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the EU’s support of Kyiv amid the ongoing war.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is pushing for the development of a so-called “drone wall.” The system of sensors and weapons would monitor and take out unmanned aircraft in an effort to safeguard the continent’s eastern region.
With the draft proposal set for approval, Germany would join the ranks of countries like Britain, France, Lithuania and Romania, which have all created measures for security forces to shoot down drones violating their airspace.
Some officials have expressed concerns about drones being shot down in densely populated areas as a potential safety concern. They also note that airports lack the proper detection tools to report sightings immediately.
