Strengthening drone defence

Illegal drone flights over critical infrastructure in Germany have increased significantly since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. It is suspected that they are also being piloted by foreign state actors for espionage and sabotage purposes in Germany.

On 8 October 2025, the Federal Government launched a comprehensive reform of the Federal Police Act and expanded the powers of the Federal Police in the area of drone defence.

Amendments made to the Second Act Amending the German Aviation Security Act are intended to further improve drone defence.

Amendments to the Aviation Security Act:

• Greater powers: the powers of the armed forces will be extended. In the future, they may assist the police with drone defence under administrative assistance. This includes the use of armed force as a last resort if it is not possible, or only possible with considerable difficulty, to avert the danger without such support.
• Simpler, faster procedures: the decision-making process for deploying the armed forces for drone defence will be simplified and accelerated. The decision has now been transferred to the Federal Ministry (previously: Federal Minister) of Defence and can therefore be delegated. The requirement to make a decision in consultation with the Federal Ministry of the Interior no longer applies.

In addition, intentional, unauthorised entry onto airport premises will be a punishable offence in the future. Until now, this could only be dealt with by imposing fines.