The Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Ministry of Research, and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) officially opened a new technology center for drone safety in Cochstedt on Tuesday. This facility is designed to consolidate DLR’s expertise and research infrastructure while closely connecting them to the practical requirements of both security agencies and industry.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt noted that this location is crucial for testing new technologies directly within airport infrastructure-precisely where sensitive threat situations arise. He emphasized that they are pooling the knowledge of science, start-ups, and security authorities to better protect the nation against hybrid threats.
Echoing this sentiment, Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär described the site as a “lighthouse” for drone research. She added that the center will be used to test new applications and technologies benefiting the economy, governmental bodies, and national security.
Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chairman of the DLR, explained that while drones present immense opportunities, they also pose significant challenges. To overcome them, they require scientific technical know-how, industrial innovation, and crucially, the perspective of those involved in operational security. She stressed that knowledge transfer and exchange could quickly and efficiently translate research findings into usable solutions.
The technology center is slated to be integrated into the activities of the Common Drone Defence Center (GDAZ). Researchers there will focus on developing protocols for safe drone operations, as well as advanced technologies for detecting and countering unwanted drones.
This initiative comes against a backdrop of heightened threat awareness, including the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Halle/Leipzig airport in early August, as well as ongoing sightings of drones near Bundeswehr sites and other critical infrastructure.
