Northern German states conclude pact against drone threats!

Northern German states conclude pact against drone threats!

Are the drones now rising further into the air? In recent months, the northern German states have sent a strong signal towards security. The five states – Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Bremen – have agreed on a joint approach to counter drone threats. This agreement aims to realize a coordinated and possibly even joint procurement of technologies to guarantee security in their airspace. However, the costs for this must be borne by each federal state itself, as Boyens Medien reports.

The interior ministers of the affected countries recently met in the Hanseatic barracks of the naval command to discuss the seriousness of the situation. Interior Minister Christian Pegel from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania emphasized that the use of uniform technology facilitates exchange between the federal states. Hamburg's Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD) warned that many drone flights are not harmless but are used for espionage. Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) also pointed out that drone defense should act as a kind of protective shield over northern Germany, especially to protect critical infrastructure.

Drone flights are increasing

Current developments show that the problem needs to be taken seriously. In the first half of 2025, the police in Lower Saxony registered more unauthorized drone overflights than in the whole of 2024. The increase is alarming: in 2024 there were already 131 drone incidents, many of them over military installations and critical infrastructure. Behrens emphasizes the urgency that Lower Saxony wants to invest seven million euros in drone defense in 2026 in order to effectively counteract the increase, according to [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/strategie-gegen-spionagedrohnen-niedersachsen-will-aufruesten,drone defense-100.html).

A uniform concept should not only accelerate technology, but also strengthen mutual support between the federal states. The debate about legal responsibilities is urgent, especially since there are unclear situations between the Bundeswehr and the police when drone flights over military terrain. A draft law on drone defense by the CDU has already been introduced in the state parliament, but is being sharply criticized by the red-green coalition.

The fight against hybrid threats

At a time when the security situation is growing and drones are increasingly being used as a tool for hybrid warfare, the need for a common situational awareness becomes particularly clear. The report “#Drone Defense and Critical Infrastructure – A Catalog of Measures” from the Cyber ​​Intelligence Institute emphasizes the robustness of critical infrastructure and announces that unauthorized drone flights have been a clear trend since 2022, especially against critical facilities. This report examines measures to combat these threats and raises awareness of the associated risks, as CII shows.

The challenge of adapting to these dangerous technologies is becoming ever greater. The states are therefore not only planning joint procurement measures, but also close cooperation with the security authorities and the Bundeswehr in order to find an effective response to the threats. During the drone defense exercise, which was presented by the Bundeswehr, it became clear how important a coordinated strategy is to ensure the safety of the population.