German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced on Saturday plans to revise aviation security laws, giving the armed forces a formal role in defending against drones, including the authority to shoot down hostile aircraft in case of imminent danger.
Dobrindt stated that the initiative is a response to the increasing threats posed by drones over German airspace and neighboring countries.
“We are witnessing an arms race between drone threats and drone defense,” Dobrindt said, adding, “This is a race we cannot afford to lose.”
The minister described the situation as part of a “continuous hybrid threat,” with drones ranging from small commercial quadcopters to coordinated swarms of attack drones, according to Politico.
Plans for the new legislation come amid heightened regional tensions, particularly following multiple drone incidents recorded in Northern Germany and Denmark.
Just last week, airports and military installations in Denmark reported sightings of large drones, forcing Copenhagen Airport to close for several hours due to the risk posed by unidentified flying objects in restricted airspace.
