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Federal government plans massive drone defense: new law on the way!
The federal government is planning comprehensive drone defense in Germany by the end of 2025. New laws strengthen federal police and security measures.
Federal government plans massive drone defense: new law on the way!
On October 8, 2025, the federal government launched a comprehensive plan to strengthen drone defense in Germany. In view of the increasing number of drone sightings and the associated threats, a special drone defense unit of the Federal Police is being set up, which is scheduled to begin work this year. The measures also include the opening of a drone defense center, which is intended to promote cooperation between the federal and state governments in order to increase security in the airspace. Tagesschau reports that This is in response to several incidents that have disrupted air traffic in European cities such as Copenhagen and Oslo.
The newly passed Federal Police Act creates a clear legal basis for the security authorities. The existing law is now over 30 years old and urgently needs modernization. Particular attention will be paid to the new powers granted to the Federal Police for drone defense, including shooting down drones if other measures do not work. These adjustments, penned by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, are necessary in order to keep pace in the age of increasing drone technology. To this end, annual financing of 90 million euros will be made available for new equipment and the hiring of 341 additional employees. taz reports that ongoing security concerns and the handling of illegal overflights will also be taken into account.
A look at the new legislation
The draft of the new Federal Police Act, which must pass the Bundestag and Bundesrat, also provides for an expansion of the police's powers. These aim to strengthen powers to combat extremism and protect critical infrastructure. In the future, the federal police will be able to take people directly into detention pending deportation, even in urgent cases, and will have access to surveillance technologies such as cell phone tracking and state trojans. Mercury states that The role of the Bundeswehr in defending against drones should also be redefined in order to maintain a clear separation between internal and external security.
Csar Dobrindt emphasizes that any changes must be free of “woke” elements, which has led to increased discussion about how to deal with unprovoked surveillance. Critics, like Clara Bünger from the Left, fear a fundamental weakening of this separation and call for transparency in surveillance. According to taz The demand for mandatory identification for police officers remains in place in order to counteract racial profiling.
Airspace security and international developments
The need to strengthen drone defenses is underpinned by international developments. More and more European countries, including Poland and Finland, have reported airspace violations by drones. In Germany itself, sightings over Munich Airport caused a stir. In addition to setting up the drone defense unit, the federal government is also planning comprehensive technical defense measures, such as the use of electromagnetic pulses, jamming signals and interception technologies. Tagesschau explains that The cooperation between the police and the Bundeswehr will be crucial for the success of the measures.
The clock is ticking and the challenges for security authorities are increasing. Germany's future drone defense is a much-discussed topic that not only addresses security interests, but also raises ethical questions. But one thing is clear: in order to get these new threats under control, a solid legal and technical basis is required.