Dobrindt had already introduced earlier this week plans to strengthen the nation’s drone defences, a part of broader push to construct up the armed forces following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
On Saturday, he confirmed that he desires to revise air security legal guidelines to permit the “capturing down of drones” by the armed forces.
“What we’re witnessing is an arms race – an arms race between drone threats and drone defence. We should put together ourselves for this,” he mentioned.
At present police have the primary accountability for defending towards drones, and modifications had been wanted, he mentioned.
Tabloid Bild reported that downing drones by the navy would solely be permitted in sure circumstances, equivalent to in the event that they pose a critical hazard to human life or vital infrastructure.
Germany, certainly one of Ukraine’s key backers in its battle towards Russia, had to this point been reluctant to shoot down drones for worry that particles may trigger casualties.
The GdP police union voiced opposition to Dobrindt’s plan, telling the Rheinische Put up newspaper that home safety was the accountability of the police, not the navy.
Drone warfare has been a core function of the Ukraine battle and NATO international locations bordering Russia hope to construct a “drone defence wall” — a community of technological and navy options to counter these aerial threats.
