Germany Expands Military Powers to Counter Drone Threats

Germany is pushing to expand its military's domestic powers to counter illegal drone flights, as Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt seeks to give the German army new authority to help police tackle what officials see as a growing security threat.

Dobrindt told the German newspaper Rheinische Post that he wants explicit language added to aviation security laws. The change would let the German military provide administrative support to domestic police forces, particularly when dealing with unauthorized drones.

The minister also revealed plans for a national drone technology center that would connect the federal government, individual German states, and the military. This hub would coordinate responses to drone-related incidents across different levels of government.

The move reflects growing concerns across Europe about unauthorized drone activity near critical infrastructure, airports, and government facilities. Several incidents in recent years have disrupted air traffic and raised questions about existing security measures.

But expanding military involvement in domestic security represents a significant shift for Germany. The country has historically maintained strict separation between military and police functions, rooted in post-World War II constitutional principles that limit the army's role in internal affairs.

The proposed changes would need parliamentary approval and could face legal challenges. German law currently restricts when and how the military can operate within the country's borders, typically limiting such involvement to major emergencies or disasters.

For drone manufacturers and operators, clearer enforcement rules could mean stricter oversight but also more predictable regulations. The aviation industry has been calling for consistent drone policies across European Union member states to reduce compliance complexity.

The timing suggests German officials view drone threats as urgent enough to warrant constitutional and legal changes that would have been politically difficult just a few years ago.