Germany's Parliament Revises Air Security Law
The German Bundestag has passed amendments to the Air Security Act, empowering the armed forces to intercept and shoot down unmanned aerial vehicles that violate airspace. These changes, initiated by the German Interior Ministry, are designed to accelerate and simplify response procedures to drone incidents. This legislative shift reflects a broader European trend of adapting national security frameworks to address modern technological threats.
Previously, responsibility for intercepting drones fell to local police, with Bundeswehr intervention prohibited except when drones flew over military installations. The new regulations allow federal states to request assistance from the armed forces. The Ministry of Defense will now bear full responsibility for decisions on countering drones, whereas before it had to coordinate its actions with the Ministry of the Interior.
Criminal Liability and Drone Procurement
The legislative changes also establish criminal liability for the intentional and unauthorized penetration of airport security zones if it disrupts air traffic. Violators face up to five years imprisonment. Furthermore, the Bundestag's budget committee has given the German Ministry of Defense the green light to procure thousands of combat kamikaze drones. Among the defense department's plans is an order for drones from German startups Helsing and Stark Defence, with an initial procurement cost of approximately 540 million euros.
These legal amendments are a response to growing threats associated with drone use, particularly in the context of airport and critical infrastructure security. The implementation of the new rules underscores Germany's intent to enhance its defensive capabilities and operational responsiveness to potential threats, which may also indicate a heightened regional geopolitical climate. The procurement of new drones highlights the country's commitment to investing in modern technologies to ensure national security.