Drone flights over Bundeswehr facilities or critical infrastructure in Germany have recently become more frequent. Amendments to the aviation safety law should allow these flying objects to be shot down in the future, German media reported on Thursday.
UAVs fly over chemical plants or military facilities and can be used for espionage or sabotage. German security authorities are recording an increasing number of drone sightings. So far, the Bundeswehr has only been allowed to shoot down flying objects in exceptional cases, but this is now set to change. The government has approved a proposal to amend the Aviation Security Act accordingly.
The proposed change would allow the armed forces to use force of arms against drones. Outside military installations, they are so far only allowed to shoot down aircraft, force them to land, threaten to use weapons or fire warning shots.
A defence ministry spokesman said the Bundeswehr has about 1,000 different facilities. The army cannot provide the means to combat drones everywhere. But it does where there is a particular need. In addition, there are so-called Luftwaffe emergency companies as a possible intervention option. Fighter jets have to be in the air within 15 minutes.
Proposals to amend the aviation safety law will be submitted to the Bundestag by the ruling SPD and Green parties. However, they do not have a majority in parliament after the collapse of the ruling coalition. Therefore, the question of amendments remains open.
