Germany’s cabinet approved a new law on October 8 granting police explicit authority to shoot down rogue drones that violate the country’s airspace, especially when posing an acute threat or causing serious harm. The legislation, awaiting parliamentary approval, also permits the use of other countermeasures such as lasers and signal jamming to disrupt drone control.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt emphasized that this move equips federal police with state-of-the-art technology to tackle drone threats. A dedicated counter-drone unit will be established, with experts consulting international counterparts in Israel and Ukraine, nations recognized for advanced drone defense capabilities.
The law follows a disruptive incident at Munich Airport on October 3, when multiple flights were diverted or canceled due to rogue drone sightings, affecting over 10,000 passengers. Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested Russia may be behind some of the recent drone incursions, describing them as reconnaissance missions without armaments.
Germany joins other European nations like the UK, France, Lithuania, and Romania in adopting stricter counter-drone measures. According to Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), drone-related air traffic disruptions in Germany have risen sharply, with 172 incidents recorded from January to September 2025, up from 129 in the same period last year.
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