FULDATAL, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – As Germany adapts to rapid advancements in unmanned aircraft technology, the country is scaling up its drone defence infrastructure. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt highlighted that counter-drone efforts will remain a long-term priority for the Federal Police. His comments came during a Thursday visit to the police aviation unit in Fuldatal, Hesse, where he emphasized the ongoing technological arms race between defence systems and those attempting to bypass them.
In December 2025, Germany’s Federal Police established a dedicated counter-drone unit for nationwide deployment. The unit, which currently employs around 70 personnel, is slated to expand to 300 officers by the end of 2026. Additionally, the Interior Ministry is increasing operational sites from four to eight to enhance coverage and response capabilities across the country.
Germany is also concentrating on equipping major airports under Federal Police jurisdiction with counter-drone tools. Airports such as Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart, and Leipzig/Halle are prioritized for mobile detection and defensive systems. While authorities have not publicly disclosed specific equipment details due to security reasons, they have procured mobile detection and defence solutions for aviation security. Responsibility for drone defence on airport grounds lies with federal police, whereas state police manage areas outside airport perimeters.
Federal police counter-drone units grow nationwide
This expansion follows an incident on August 4 at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany. Federal prosecutors revealed that a drone carrying professional explosives and a detonator entered the airport premises. Evidence suggests an intent to cause an explosion using the drone. Additionally, a cargo aircraft collided with an object believed to be another drone in the broader airport vicinity. Germany’s federal prosecutor took charge of the investigation on August 6.
The Federal Criminal Police Office is leading the probe under the oversight of the federal prosecutor. No publicly identified suspects have been named, and responsibility remains unconfirmed as investigations continue. The incident has renewed focus on safeguarding airports and critical infrastructure, underscoring the need for improved coordination among federal agencies, state authorities, and security organizations involved in drone incident response.
New research hub targets drone threat mitigation
On August 18, Germany inaugurated the Technology Center for Drone Security at the German Aerospace Center’s Cochstedt site, utilizing research capabilities from its Braunschweig branch. The center aims to evaluate drone detection and defence technologies under realistic conditions, with planned investments exceeding 10 million euros and the creation of up to 40 new jobs. It fosters collaboration among researchers, security agencies, and industry players working on counter-drone systems.
This new facility operates alongside Germany’s Joint Counter-Drone Centre, which facilitates information sharing and strategic assessment across federal and state agencies. Additionally, federal police powers related to drone detection and mitigation have been updated. Dobrindt noted that ongoing technological progress necessitates continual development and testing of new systems. The government’s current approach combines operational police units, coordinated security evaluations, and dedicated research efforts to bolster defenses against unauthorized and potentially dangerous drones.