Germany warned: Drone threats outpace current defense systems
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Germany’s drone defense gaps stem from fragmented bureaucracy and outdated tech, as industry leaders call for urgent legal reforms and interagency coordination.
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The sign at the entrance of the German Defense Ministry prior to a meeting between Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen and about 100 top officers in Berlin, Thursday, May 4, 2017 (AP)
Germany currently lacks the capability to effectively defend its critical infrastructure from hostile drone activity, according to a stark warning issued by the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI). The concerns, outlined in a letter to the federal government and reported by DPA on Wednesday, highlight serious technological and legal shortcomings.
The BDLI cited the absence of a unified and efficient response system, describing coordination among relevant authorities as both “insufficient and overly complex.” In one cited example, illegal drone activity was reportedly allowed to continue for weeks undetected over the Manching military airfield, a clear vulnerability in national security oversight.
Marie-Christine von Hahn, Principal Managing Director of BDLI, underscored the urgency of the issue, stating: "The fact that hostile spy drones often outperform police aircraft does not align with our self-image as a secure, law-based state."
Call for government action
The association urged Berlin to prioritize investment in next-generation counter-drone systems and accelerate the development of a comprehensive legal framework to support operational readiness.
Von Hahn emphasized that authorities must collaborate more effectively to respond to evolving aerial threats that could target civilian and military infrastructure alike.
“The government must create the conditions necessary for robust drone defense capabilities,” the BDLI warned, calling for immediate action to modernize Germany’s defense posture against increasingly sophisticated unmanned aerial systems.
Germany could reintroduce military draft: Defense minister
Back in May, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany may be forced to revive conscription if not enough people voluntarily join the army.
In 2011, Berlin abolished conscription but has recently considered bringing it back, citing perceived threats from Russia.
According to broadcaster N-tv, the Social Democrats and Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats agreed in their coalition deal to introduce the so-called “Swedish model,” which combines selective mandatory and voluntary service.
"We have agreed that we will initially rely on voluntarism – a service that is initially voluntary and intended to encourage young people to serve their country," Pistorius said in an address to the Bundestag on Wednesday.
He added, "And I say this quite deliberately and honestly: the emphasis is also on ‘initially,’ in case we cannot recruit enough volunteers."
"In the medium and long term, we will strengthen personnel levels to ensure that the Bundeswehr is sustainably positioned for both homeland security and alliance defense," the minister said.
