Debate in German government on drone defence measures
Oct 21, 2025
Berlin [Germany], October 21: The German government aims to arrive at internal domestic agreements on better control of aerial drones in December, including with the 16 states, government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said on Monday.
Rapid results could not be expected, given the complexity of the material, both legally and technically, he said.
"Perhaps a reminder is necessary at this point that politics does not work like a pizza delivery service," he said.
Planned reform of aviation safety legislation was the next step, as well as agreements with the states among others on the drone defence centre recently announced by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.
Asked whether the centre would be allowed to act regarding defence against a drone in a specific case, Kornelius referred this to the conference of federal and state interior ministers at the beginning of December.
A Defence Ministry spokesman said the military would be able to provide assistance to the security authorities within clear legal limits and depending on free capacity.
Drone sightings on two successive evenings at the beginning of October led to disruption to air traffic at Munich Airport, affecting almost 10,000 passengers.
The previous government agreed a legal amendment in January allowing the military to down suspect drones, but it failed to pass in parliament. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government took power in May and is now taking up drone defence measures.
Source: Qatar Tribune
