Germany Grants Police Authority to Shoot Down Drones

The German government has approved amendments to the Federal Police Act, granting law enforcement the power to intercept and, if necessary, shoot down drones posing a security threat, Orda.kz reports, citing DW.

Under the new rules, police may use both technical and physical countermeasures against drones, including electromagnetic pulses, GPS and radio jamming, and direct firearms use if required.

A Drone Defense Center will be established by the end of the year to coordinate nationwide drone security efforts. The initiative will receive €90 million in annual funding.

The Federal Police, which oversees security at airports and train stations, will also be able to assist regional authorities in combating unauthorized drone activity.

The bill follows a recent incident at Munich Airport, where on October 3, several unidentified drones forced the temporary closure of airspace, causing dozens of flight cancellations and delays affecting more than 10,000 passengers.

After the event, Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that Russian-linked groups could be behind many of the drones observed over Germany, adding that while the devices were unarmed, they were likely conducting reconnaissance flights.

Original Author: Raushan Korzhumbekova