German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s cabinet has approved legislation that will empower the country’s armed forces to shoot down unidentified drones suspected of spying on military bases, critical infrastructure, and industrial facilities, Bloomberg reports.
This move comes amid growing concerns about unauthorized drone activity near sensitive locations.
The draft amendment to the Aviation Security Act will allow the military to use force against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to prevent serious incidents, according to a government document seen by Bloomberg. Previously, German authorities primarily relied on jamming technology to disable drones, but recent models have shown resistance to these methods.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, both senior members of the Social Democrats, spearheaded the measure following a surge in drone sightings in restricted airspace near energy, telecommunications, transport, and industrial factories.
The German government suspects that a state actor is likely behind the drone activity, possibly for purposes of sabotage or terrorism. While the draft amendment does not explicitly name any foreign country, officials believe that Russia and China are the most likely culprits, according to sources familiar with the matter. Both nations have denied the claims.
Under the amendment, local authorities will be able to request military intervention if deemed necessary. This expands the current law, which limits the armed forces to using force against foreign military aircraft only under specific circumstances.
There has been an increase in suspicious drone sightings near army barracks in recent weeks, including the US airbase in Ramstein. Several drones were observed flying over the Ramstein runway at speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour.
