Germany’s interior ministers are pressing for faster progress on drone-defence capabilities after the Leipzig/Halle airport incident, as federal authorities prepare to expand anti-drone capacity across the country. The Federal Police unit tasked with countering drones is set to grow to 300 specialists and double its operational network from four to eight locations, with new technical measures planned for major airports and critical infrastructure.
The unit’s role covers detection, interception and, if necessary, neutralisation of drones, reflecting growing concern that current defences are not keeping pace with the threat around airports and other sensitive sites. A new technology centre for drone security is due to open at the DLR site in Cochstedt on 18 August, adding research and testing capacity to the national response.
Responsibility for drone defence remains mainly with federal and state police, while the Bundeswehr can provide support under revised legal rules in serious cases. The Leipzig/Halle case has intensified scrutiny of airport security and accelerated calls for more capable counter-drone systems at German aviation hubs.