Konstantin von Notz, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Control Committee and an MP for the Greens, criticized Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), alleging that the minister is concealing serious problems surrounding the drone defense center in Berlin. Speaking to Der Tagesspiegel, von Notz stated that the government’s failures in identifying and defending against hybrid threats are “overall massive,” pointing to a perceived “lack of direction and concept” within the government in the face of increasingly aggressive Russian actions.
Von Notz noted that while Dobrindt introduced the center last December, there are “significant doubts” regarding its actual operational capacity and effectiveness. He accused Dobrindt of avoiding the task of fixing these problems and ensuring the center’s impact instead by constructing a new research facility.
In response to a direct query from von Notz, the Federal Ministry of the Interior officially stated that the Joint Drone Defense Center (GDAZ) is “fundamentally established.” The statement further mentioned the setup of “modern workplaces and contemporary IT infrastructure” and frequently referenced the “prerequisites for cross-agency information exchange.” It affirmed that the center serves as a “central hub for information exchange, situation assessment, capability development, and operational cooperation in the field of drone defense.”
However, the official response also revealed practical limitations: at the time of the query in August, only 30 representatives were active at the GDAZ-18 from the Federal Police, 9 from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), and 3 from the Bundeswehr-a significantly lower number than suggested by the prior announcement of 24/7 operation. The ministry provided no information regarding the participation of the German states.
Von Notz dismissed the government’s answer as illustrative of the problem. He argued that instead of guaranteeing quick action to fully staff the center and communicate with key stakeholders, the administration was merely masking clear issues by referring vaguely to its “fundamental” readiness. He asserted that the government has been “absolutely insufficient” in confronting the major threats that Russia poses to the security, prosperity, and freedom of the country, labelling it a massive security policy failure that must end.
Von Notz concluded by insisting that the drone defense center is just one of many necessary upgrades. He urgently demanded that the Interior Minister “substantially engage with the topic,” given that the nation is being attacked by drones loaded with explosives, and urged Dobrindt to ensure the center’s full operational capability as quickly as possible.
