Germany Considers Police Drone Shoot-Down Powers After Munich Airport Disruption Impacting 3,000 Passengers

Following multiple drone sightings that caused the shutdown of Munich airport and stranded nearly 3,000 passengers, German officials, including Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, are advocating for laws empowering police to shoot down unauthorized drones to protect national airspace. This disruption is part of a series of drone incursions affecting European airports, with suspicions of Russian involvement, though the Kremlin denies these claims. German federal police attempted to track the drones without success, prompting calls for stronger airspace sovereignty and infrastructure protection. The European Union has responded by backing enhanced anti-drone defenses after similar recent incidents in Denmark and Norway. Söder emphasized the urgency of immediate action to maintain operational infrastructure and national security, with Bavaria preparing fast-track legislation and urging federal amendments to flight safety laws. The Munich incident has intensified debates on airspace security amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Europe.