Recent and increasing instances of drone flights over military bases, airports and defense industry facilities have prompted a call for immediate action from the Bavarian State Minister, Markus Söder. Söder, of the CSU party, is advocating for the authorization of drone interception within Germany.
Speaking to “Bild” Söder emphasized the necessity of a robust defense strategy for the nation’s critical infrastructure and military installations. He proposed a shift in approach, stating that drones should be intercepted rather than simply monitored and that this action should be applied consistently. He believes law enforcement agencies should be empowered to immediately shoot down unauthorized drones.
Söder attributed the surge in drone incidents to an urgent need for revised security protocols. He asserted that the concern extended beyond espionage, focusing on the need to guarantee the continuous operational capacity of essential infrastructure and maintain sovereignty over German airspace.
To address the situation, Söder announced the initiation of a swift legislative measure in Bavaria. The Bavarian State Council is scheduled to discuss the proposal as early as Tuesday. He further urged the federal government to rapidly update aviation security legislation to reflect the evolving threat.
However, experts are cautioning against a blanket authorization for drone interceptions. A recurring concern is the uncertainty regarding payloads; indiscriminate shooting down carries the risk of potential injuries to individuals on the ground due to the possibility of explosives or other hazardous materials being carried by the drones.
