Reinforced Proposal by Union and SPD for Straightforward Drones' Elimination - Unions and the SPD advocate for streamlined drone deployments
Germany's Union and SPD Parties Advocate for Simplified Drone Countermeasures
In a joint effort to bolster national security, the Union and SPD parties in Germany have proposed amendments to the Aviation Security Act to facilitate drone shootdowns. Roderich Kiesewetter, a key spokesperson, highlighted the importance of addressing capability gaps in drone defense and electronic warfare within the Bundeswehr and federal and state security agencies.
One of the main concerns is the "jamming" of drones, which involves electronic countermeasures to disrupt the communication between pilot and drone. Kiesewetter suggested that the previous proposals were not efficient enough to effectively prevent unauthorized drone flights.
In January 2025, a draft amendment to the Air Safety Act was presented, granting the Luftwaffe the authority to use lethal force against unidentified drones as a last resort in emergency situations. However, the new elections and change of government resulted in the amendment not being passed.
Now, Kiesewetter is advocating for a general adjustment of the Bundeswehr's powers, or during a state of emergency according to the Basic Law, to allow for efficient defense against drones, prevention of spy flights, and consistent shootdowns. The SPD's Dirk Wiese also expressed support for this initiative in discussions with the Handelsblatt.
The growing threat of unauthorized drone incursions is prompting broader European efforts to develop and deploy counter-drone systems. Advanced systems, such as laser-based counter-drone technologies currently being developed by German companies like Rheinmetall, may play a crucial role in these efforts.
This move is a response to rising fears about illegal drone activity potentially linked to espionage or sabotage, particularly from Russia. The proposed changes aim to bolster Germany's ability to protect critical infrastructure and military installations by enhancing the Luftwaffe's capacity to detect and neutralize drones.
The Union and SPD parties in Germany are advocating for a revision of the community policy, focusing on vocational training in cybersecurity and technology, to equip the Bundeswehr and state security agencies with advanced drone defense and electronic warfare capabilities. This move comes as a response to the growing threat of illegal drone activity, particularly from countries like Russia, with the aim of improving Germany's ability to protect critical infrastructure and military installations from espionage and sabotage.
