Drone threat: Baden-Württemberg is preparing for an emergency!

Drone threat: Baden-Württemberg is preparing for an emergency!

A look at the security situation in Germany shows that the upcoming challenges must be taken seriously. On October 10, 2025, the Theodor Heuss Barracks in Stuttgart will present itself as a heavily guarded center of the Baden-Württemberg state command. Michael Giss, the 61-year-old top Bundeswehr commander in the region, knows the challenges associated with the increasing use of drones. He has served as a commander in Afghanistan and the Indian Ocean and now sees air surveillance as a new threat to security.

“Drones that may be equipped with explosives pose an increasing risk,” warns Giss. In order to be prepared for this, he is calling for faster legal regulations that will facilitate cooperation between the police and the Bundeswehr in the event of drone attacks. He sees wing drones in particular as potential threats to critical infrastructure that need to be protected. In order to improve defense mechanisms, he is planning a large-scale exercise that will involve both the Bundeswehr and the police.

Preparing for future conflict scenarios

The Bundeswehr is in a constant learning process, which, according to Giss, has already taken place in ministries and administrative structures. In the current situation, both Giss and Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) emphasize the need to facilitate the deployment of the Bundeswehr domestically. However, the area of ​​application is severely limited by the Basic Law. According to Article 35 of the Basic Law, the Bundeswehr is only entitled to provide reinforcements in the event of “particularly serious accidents”.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) and the chairman of the CDU, Friedrich Merz, see the security situation as tense. The increase in drone overflights in German airspace means that Russia is often suspected as a potential perpetrator. Reforms of the Aviation Security Act are planned, which Dobrindt holds out in order to expand the powers of the Bundeswehr in this regard.

The legal challenges

Nevertheless, Verena Jackson, an expert in security law, underlines the legal difficulties in connection with the Bundeswehr's use of drones. This could be shot down in the event of tension or approval, but the conditions for this are anything but clear. The Bundestag could only determine a case of tension in accordance with Article 80a of the Basic Law with a two-thirds majority, which represents an additional hurdle.

As Giss considers preparations for possible Russian military attacks by 2029, one can only hope that Germany does not feel completely spied on. He recommends that companies prepare for future conflict scenarios and become resilient, as military convoys that could also be visible on the roads could lead to significant traffic disruptions.

The challenges are clear and a clear strategy is needed to ensure Germany's security. Giss emphasizes: “The race between drone and drone is crucial for our future.” With adapted laws and a strengthened arms industry, he sees Baden-Württemberg as well positioned and ready to react in a timely manner.

Developments in this matter are crucial and time will tell how flexible the legal framework can be to adapt to practical needs. Germany not only wants to feel safe, but also actually wants to be safe.

For further information on current military strategies and the legal framework, see [SWR aktuell](https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/baden-wuerttemberg/wie-ist-das-land-fuer-den-ernstfall-vor Preparet-militaer-100.html) and [ZDF today].