Concerns are mounting regarding the federal government’s response to the increasing prevalence of unauthorized drone activity across Germany. Lower Saxony’s Interior Minister Daniela Behrens has publicly expressed a desire for greater urgency and leadership from Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, highlighting the rapidly evolving nature of the situation.
Behrens stated that while adjustment periods are understandable for new officeholders, the issue of drone sightings demands immediate action, emphasizing that “there is no more time to lose”. Lower Saxony, in particular, has experienced a significant increase in drone overflights, with an average of one drone sighting reported each day this year. Data indicates approximately 260 sightings were recorded by the end of September.
The criticism extends beyond Lower Saxony, with Green Party parliamentary group vice-chairman Konstantin von Notz accusing Dobrindt of focusing disproportionately on migration policies at the expense of addressing pressing security concerns like drone defense. Von Notz asserted that this prioritization has resulted in a “negligent” oversight, allowing a critical window of opportunity to pass. He believes the minister’s actions are inadequate given the escalating threat landscape.
Von Notz further noted the now almost daily occurrence of drone overflights, underscoring the need for a swift improvement in detection and defense capabilities. A coordinated effort involving state police forces, the federal police, the armed forces (Bundeswehr) and intelligence services is deemed essential to bolster defense capacities and requires central coordination under the Interior Minister’s leadership. He pointed to concerning security gaps and suggested the minister’s apparent lack of attention to the drone threat exemplifies broader failings within the government’s approach to hybrid threats. The call is for a comprehensive and urgent strategy to address the situation.
