FULDATAL, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – Germany is enhancing its ability to counter unmanned aircraft, responding to rapid advancements in drone technology. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that the work on counter-drone measures would be a long-term task for the Federal Police. He made these remarks during a visit to the police aviation unit in Fuldatal, Hesse, on Thursday. Dobrindt highlighted the ongoing technological race between defense systems and those designed to bypass them.
The Federal Police established its specialized counter-drone unit in December 2025 to operate nationwide. According to the latest government data, the unit currently comprises approximately 70 personnel. Authorities aim to expand this number to 300 officers by the end of 2026. Additionally, the Interior Ministry has ordered an increase from four planned locations to eight, seeking to improve coverage and response times throughout Germany.
Germany has also prioritized equipping major airports under Federal Police jurisdiction with counter-drone tools. The airports include Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart, and Leipzig/Halle. The government has procured mobile detection and defense systems for deployment at aviation sites. For security reasons, federal authorities have not publicly disclosed details about these systems. While police handle drone defense within airport boundaries, state police oversee areas outside them.
Federal police unit broadens its reach nationwide
This expansion follows a security breach 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 premises. Evidence indicated an intent to cause an explosion using the aircraft. In the wider airport area, a cargo plane collided with an object believed to be another drone. On August 6, Germany’s federal prosecutor took charge of the investigation.
The Federal Criminal Police Office is leading the probe under the direction of the federal prosecutor. Authorities have not publicly identified the responsible party. They have refrained from assigning blame while evidence is still being examined. The incident has renewed focus on protecting airports and critical infrastructure, with officials emphasizing the importance of faster cooperation among federal agencies, state authorities, and security organizations managing drone-related threats.
New Drone Security Research Facility Inaugurated
Germany launched a Technology Center for Drone Security on August 18 at the German Aerospace Center’s Cochstedt site. The center also utilizes research resources at the organization’s Braunschweig location. Its mission is to test drone detection and defense technologies under real-world conditions. The German Aerospace Center plans to invest over 10 million euros and create up to 40 new jobs. This facility will facilitate collaboration among researchers, security agencies, and private companies working on counter-drone solutions.
This new center operates alongside Germany’s Joint Counter-Drone Centre, which manages the exchange of information and assessments among federal and state agencies. The federal police powers concerning drone detection and interdiction have also been updated. Dobrindt emphasized that rapid technological progress compels authorities to continuously develop and test new systems. The current government strategy combines operational police units, coordinated security assessments, and dedicated research to bolster defenses against unauthorized and hazardous drones.