Germany Authorizes Military to Shoot Down Unidentified Drones

The German Bundestag has passed new drone defense rules that give the armed forces broader authority.

According to Tagesschau, the amendment to the Air Security Act is designed to speed up and simplify measures to protect against unmanned drones.

Previously, only local police handled such cases, and the Bundeswehr could intervene only when drones flew over military facilities.

Now, Germany’s federal states will be able to request assistance from the army in combating drones, and the procedure for potentially deploying military forces has been simplified and accelerated.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence will bear full responsibility for decisions regarding countering drones, without the need to coordinate with the Ministry of the Interior.

In addition, the law introduces criminal liability for intentional and unauthorized intrusion into an airport security zone that interferes with air traffic. Offenders face a prison sentence of up to five years.

This legislative change significantly strengthens Germany’s drone defense mechanisms and paves the way for a rapid military response to potential threats in the sky.

Just last year, Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office recorded more than 1,000 suspicious drone flights. They were detected over military sites, airports, and critical infrastructure.

In early December, it was also announced that Germany will create a new federal police unit specializing in counter-drone operations. The unit will consist of 130 officers who will be able to respond quickly across the country.

According to the minister, the structure is being created with consideration of the combat and technical experience of Israel and Ukraine, both of which are actively countering drone threats.

In addition, Germany’s 2025–2026 budget allocates more than €100 million for the procurement of counter-drone technologies, including sensors, jammers, and electronic warfare systems.