The escalating threat of drone incursions is exposing a critical lack of coordination and competency amongst Germany’s federal and state authorities, prompting a forceful call for centralized control from within the ruling coalition. Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD) has directly urged Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) to assume direct responsibility for drone defense, citing a “chaotic mess of competencies” hindering effective response capabilities.
Maier’s criticism highlights a system where smaller states lack the resources and infrastructure necessary to adequately address an increasingly sophisticated and pervasive threat. He emphasized the urgent need to consolidate expertise and expand resources under federal authority, explicitly stating his support for a shift of power from the states to the Bund.
The concern isn’t isolated. Konstantin von Notz, Deputy Chairman of the Green Party parliamentary group, echoed the sentiment, pointing to a constitutional basis for the federal government to seize control through legislative action. He insisted that the current decentralized approach compromises national security and demanded Dobrindt proactively assume responsibility, coordinating efforts between the federal police, state police and the armed forces.
The growing unease stems from a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, described by Maier as marked by “hybrid threats” increasingly orchestrated by actors like Russia, aimed at destabilizing Germany. The absence of a national threat assessment picture and a comprehensive national action plan further exacerbates the vulnerability.
While Dobrindt is scheduled to formally inaugurate a new drone defense unit within the Federal Police on Tuesday and a joint federal-state drone defense center is planned for later this year, critics argue these are merely steps in the right direction, not a decisive solution. The envisioned system, which would see the Federal and State Police sharing responsibilities with the Bundeswehr requesting assistance as needed, is perceived as a patchwork solution requiring a stronger central command structure. The urgency – especially given the expectation of increased drone activity in the coming months – underscores the need for a rapid reassessment of Germany’s approach to a potentially destabilizing security challenge.
