A leading figure in Germany’s Left party, Jan van Aken, has proposed a measured approach to the increasing reports of drone sightings across the country, advocating for technological disruption rather than military intervention. In an interview with RTL and n-tv’s “Frühstart” program, van Aken suggested employing electronic jammers to impede drone communication or disable their engines, rather than involving the German armed forces and potentially deploying missile systems.
Acknowledging the need for further technical research to effectively implement such a strategy, van Aken argued that investing in this type of technology represents a worthwhile expenditure, particularly if it allows for savings in the procurement of military hardware like tanks.
He emphasized a firm separation between the Bundeswehr’s role in foreign deployments and the responsibilities of domestic policing. Van Aken expressed explicit opposition to the deployment of the armed forces at German airports. He stated a clear distinction should be maintained – delineating the Bundeswehr’s operational focus outside of Germany from the role of the police within the nation’s borders. He positioned this perspective as a crucial lesson drawn from the legacy of the Third Reich.
Concerning the origin of the drone sightings, van Aken refrained from definitively dismissing the possibility of Russian involvement but underscored the necessity of a thorough police investigation to establish the facts.
