Europe Has Experienced an Uptick in Unidentified Drones Impeding Air Traffic

German regulators are pushing forward a law that would allow police officers to shoot drones out of the sky. The legislation follows an unexpected increase in sightings of unidentified drones over major airports, hospitals, and other facilities.

“Drone incidents threaten our safety,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “We will not allow that. We are strengthening the powers of the federal police so that drones can be detected and intercepted more quickly in the future.”

The draft law, recently approved by the German cabinet, gives police the authority to destroy drones that pose an “immediate threat” to safety. Chancellor Merz framed the policy as a matter of national security, citing recent drone incursions over Munich Airport that grounded dozens of flights.

While no attacks have been reported, the drones have caused plenty of disruption. Authorities say many appear to be engaged in surveillance, and while this isn’t necessarily a direct concern, their unidentified origins have triggered alarm. Merz has hinted that Russia may be behind the activity, using drones as a means to test and distract European defenses.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt also announced that a new counter-drone unit will be established within the federal police. The unit will coordinate with Ukraine and Israel, two countries with considerable experience in both deploying and countering drone technology, to develop interception methods and response protocols.

Under the proposal, police will handle smaller drones flying near populated areas and leave the high-altitude stuff to military officials. The law is also intended to settle long-standing jurisdictional confusion between the two agencies, which has delayed responses to previous incidents.

Germany has reported 172 drone-related interruptions to air traffic so far this year, up from 129 during the same period in 2024. Regulators see that trend as justification for acting quickly. Once approved by parliament, the measure would align Germany with France, Britain, and several eastern European countries that already permit law enforcement to shoot down unauthorized drones.

FMI: www.munich-airport.com