FULDATAL, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – As part of its efforts to bolster drone defence, Germany is expanding its counter-drone operations and security network. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that counter-drone activities will remain a long-term task for the Federal Police. He made these remarks during a visit to the police aviation unit in Fuldatal, Hesse, on Thursday. Dobrindt emphasized the ongoing technological race between defence systems and those seeking to bypass them.
The Federal Police established its specialized counter-drone unit in December 2025 to manage nationwide operations. This unit currently comprises around 70 personnel, based on the latest government data. Plans are underway to increase staffing to 300 officers by the end of 2026. Additionally, the Interior Ministry has approved an expansion from four to eight operational sites, aiming to enhance coverage and response times across Germany.
Germany has also concentrated on equipping major airports under Federal Police jurisdiction with counter-drone technology. The airports involved include Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart, and Leipzig/Halle. The government is procuring mobile detection and defence systems for use at these aviation hubs. Due to security concerns, federal authorities have not publicly disclosed details about the systems. While police handle drone defence within airport premises, state police are responsible for areas outside these zones.
Federal police unit broadens its reach across Germany
This expansion follows a security incident on August 4 at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany. Federal prosecutors reported that a drone containing professional explosives and a detonator entered the airport grounds. They found sufficient evidence indicating an intent to cause an explosion with the aircraft. In addition, a cargo plane collided with an object, believed to be another drone, in the wider airport area. On August 6, Germany’s federal prosecutor took control of the investigation.
The Federal Criminal Police Office is leading the investigation under the oversight of the federal prosecutor. Authorities have not publicly identified those responsible for the incident. The government has avoided assigning blame while investigations continue. This case has renewed focus on protecting airports and critical infrastructure. German officials also stressed the importance of faster coordination among federal agencies, state authorities, and security organizations involved in drone incidents.
New drone security research hub inaugurated
Germany launched a Technology Center for Drone Security on August 18 at the German Aerospace Center’s Cochstedt site. The facility also benefits from research resources at the organization’s Braunschweig location. Researchers will evaluate drone detection and defence technologies in realistic operational scenarios. The German Aerospace Center plans to invest over 10 million euros and create up to 40 new jobs. This center aims to facilitate collaboration among researchers, security agencies, and private companies working on counter-drone solutions.
This new facility complements Germany’s Joint Counter-Drone Centre, which coordinates information and risk assessments among federal and state authorities. The country has also upgraded federal police powers related to drone detection and defence. Dobrindt noted that the rapid pace of technological advancement requires authorities to continuously develop and test new systems. The government’s current strategy combines operational police units, coordinated security assessments, and dedicated research to strengthen protections against unauthorized and potentially dangerous drones.