FULDATAL, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – Germany is ramping up its drone defence systems as authorities face rapid technological advances in unmanned aircraft. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that counter-drone efforts will be a long-term priority for the Federal Police. His comments came during a visit to the police aviation unit in Fuldatal, Hesse, on Thursday. Dobrindt emphasized the ongoing technological race between defence systems and those aiming to bypass them.
The Federal Police established its dedicated counter-drone unit in December 2025 for operations nationwide. As per recent government data, this team comprises approximately 70 personnel. Authorities aim to increase staffing to 300 officers by the close of 2026. The Interior Ministry also announced plans to expand the number of operational sites from four to eight to ensure better coverage and quicker response across Germany.
Germany has also prioritized equipping its Federal Police with counter-drone technology at major airports. This includes Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart, and Leipzig/Halle. The government has been procuring mobile detection and interception systems for deployment at aviation hubs. Due to security reasons, public details about these systems remain undisclosed. While police handle drone defence within airport premises, state police are responsible for areas outside those zones.
Federal police expand operations nationwide
This expansion follows an incident on August 4 at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany. Federal prosecutors reported that a drone carrying professional explosives and a detonator entered the airport grounds. Evidence suggests an intent to cause an explosion using the aircraft. Additionally, a cargo plane collided with an object, believed to be another drone, in the broader airport vicinity. The federal prosecutor took over the investigation on August 6.
The Federal Criminal Police Office is leading the inquiry under the direction of the federal prosecutor. Authorities have yet to publicly identify those responsible for the incident. To date, the government has refrained from assigning blame while investigators continue examining the evidence. This case has renewed focus on safeguarding airports and vital infrastructure. German officials also stressed the importance of quicker cooperation among federal agencies, state authorities, and security agencies involved in drone incident management.
Research facility launches to address drone threats
On August 18, Germany inaugurated a Technology Center for Drone Security at the German Aerospace Center’s Cochstedt site. The center also leverages research capabilities at the organization’s Braunschweig campus. Researchers will evaluate drone detection and interception technologies under real-world conditions. The German Aerospace Center plans to invest over 10 million euros and create up to 40 new positions. The facility also serves as a hub connecting researchers, security agencies, and companies working on counter-drone solutions.
This new center complements Germany’s existing Joint Counter-Drone Centre, which facilitates information sharing and analysis among federal and state authorities. The German government has also expanded federal police authority over drone detection and defence systems. Dobrindt highlighted that rapid technological progress necessitates continuous development and testing of new systems. Germany’s current strategy combines operational police units, coordinated security assessments, and dedicated research efforts to bolster protection against unauthorized and hazardous drones.