Germany Allows Police to Shoot Down Threatening Drones Amid Munich Disruptions

Germany is moving to strengthen its defenses against rogue drones following disruptions at Munich Airport and other European incidents widely attributed to Russia. The federal government is preparing legislation to authorize police to shoot down drones that pose acute threats, using methods such as jamming signals, lasers, or physical interception. Bavaria has already approved a bill empowering its police to destroy threatening drones, emphasizing the need for lawful and proportionate responses to ensure public safety and maintain confidence in air travel. The new laws will also enable the deployment of defensive drones and the establishment of dedicated drone defense units and competence centers, with cooperation between police and the military. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt highlighted Germany's efforts to learn from allies like Israel and Ukraine to enhance drone defenses. These moves align with broader European initiatives to create sensor and weapon networks to monitor and neutralize unauthorized unmanned aircraft, reflecting heightened security concerns after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.