The German government is rushing to allocate an additional €30 million this year and potentially up to €50 million next year for drone defense systems, according to a draft proposal from the Federal Ministry of Finance revealed by “Tagesspiegel”. The move, expedited through the ongoing budget reconciliation process, underscores escalating security concerns and has drawn criticism regarding transparency and strategic planning.
The Federal Interior Ministry justified the urgent funding requirement, arguing it’s critical to procure drone defense systems for the Federal Police to adequately address evolving threats to airports, property protection and critical infrastructure. The ministry stated that the need for these systems was not apparent during the initial approval of the 2025 federal budget, making immediate action unavoidable given the current risk landscape.
The proposal’s documentation acknowledges the unexpected nature of the heightened demand, highlighting that, despite the Federal Police’s existing engagement with drone defense, the recent rapid development of technology and the emergence of tangible threat situations necessitate a significant acceleration of procurement planning.
This sudden influx of funding has prompted sharp questioning, particularly from opposition parties. Leon Eckert, Green Party expert on interior affairs, emphasized the undeniable security risk posed by drone overflights and publicly decried the lack of a comprehensive government strategy to address this danger. “We need a clear overall concept immediately outlining how the government intends to strengthen the resilience of our systems – and that’s what’s missing” Eckert stated.
The allocation has also triggered scrutiny regarding accountability. Thomas Rudorff, a prominent figure within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and parliamentary budget spokesperson, criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the government’s intentions. He demanded a detailed explanation of how the funds will be spent and a clear delineation of responsibilities. “Those who want to spend €30 million must know exactly what it’s for and present that to Parliament” Rudorff asserted, implicitly questioning whether the spending is strategically driven or a reactive measure lacking a cohesive plan. While CDU has proposed the creation of a drone defense center and has secured this immediate funding boost, the lack of details accompanying the investment is raising concerns about its effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
