Germany reports over 1,000 suspicious drone flights near critical sites in 2024

Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has documented over 1,000 suspicious drone flights across the country by mid-December 2024, according to a report by the Bild newspaper. BKA President Holger Munch stated that these unmanned aerial systems have predominantly targeted sensitive sites, raising significant security concerns.

Critical Infrastructure as Primary Targets

President Munch specified that the most affected locations are military facilities, airports, and other critical infrastructure, including arms manufacturers and port facilities. While the origin of the drones remains uncertain, Munch noted the difficulty in attributing every incident, stating, “We don't know that with 100% certainty,” due to challenges in identifying and apprehending operators.

New Defense Units and Legal Reforms Launched

In response to the growing threat, German authorities are rapidly scaling up their drone defense capabilities. A new Joint Drone Defense Center (GDAZ) was inaugurated in Berlin last week and is set to become operational in January. Additionally, a specialized federal police unit of 130 personnel is being deployed to airports, the capital, and other high-security sites, equipped with AI-supported jamming systems and interception drones.

Substantial Funding for Defensive Technology

The German parliament has approved more than €100 million for 2025 and 2026 to procure advanced drone defense technology from German and Israeli manufacturers. This investment is part of broader reforms to the Air Security Act, which will grant expanded legal powers to the federal police and military to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized drones, including provisions for the armed forces to assist when police systems are insufficient.