The Green Party has demanded a high-level drone summit to be held at the Chancellery, citing recent incidents that underscore the severe threat drones pose not just to military operations, but also to internal security. This request stems from a parliamentary motion, as reported by the “Tagesspiegel”. A prevented attack by an explosive drone at Leipzig Airport, for example, demonstrated that drone threats require a broader focus than merely designated military zones.
In connection with this issue, the Greens strongly criticized the actions of former Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). According to the party’s proposal, rather than immediately addressing protective gaps, taking responsibility, and swiftly implementing substantial measures to enhance air safety in Germany in coordination with all relevant actors, the previous measures implemented by the responsible Interior Minister were largely reduced to political symbolism.
The party emphasized that previous legal adjustments regarding air safety and police duties failed to clarify competencies. Consequently, the Greens insist that the Federal Police should fundamentally be responsible for both the surveillance and defense of airspace. Furthermore, they call for the establishment of a real-time situational picture of the lower airspace, necessitating that airports, federal military facilities, and other critical infrastructure are prioritized for enhanced drone detection and technical upgrades.
To put this comprehensive plan into action, the faction calls for a national drone summit involving all federal and state participants. Simultaneously, they stress the need to support the states in building up their own capabilities. Crucially, they also demand that the “full operational and deployment capability of the drone defense center” in Berlin be established. The party warned that Russia is pursuing a “perfidious and dangerous strategy” using hybrid attacks and drone flights to test the resilience and security architecture of the nation. The Federal Government, they argued, must respond to these attempts with clear accountability, specifically naming responsible parties for attacks and imposing concrete consequences.
Konstantin von Notz, deputy group leader and deputy chair of the Parliamentary Supervisory Body, sharply criticized the former minister, stating that Alexander Dobrindt needed to end his “irresponsible politics of quick headlines” and finally prioritize making Germany significantly better equipped for drone defense.
Irene Mihalic, the Greens’ first Parliamentary Director, told the “Tagesspiegel” that competence cannot remain ambiguous when drones appear in the skies; “there is only one airspace, not 16.” She reaffirmed that the Federal Police is already responsible for air safety and must therefore also be responsible for drone defense, able to receive support from the states or request assistance from the armed forces when necessary.
