The head of Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) told a German newspaper that Germany has recorded more than 1,000 suspicious drone flights so far in 2025. Picture In comments published on Sunday.
BKA chief Holger Munch said the drone sighting represented a “significant state of danger.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in October that the German government believed Russia was behind several drones seen over German territory.
Munch said Picture It cannot be assumed with “100% certainty” that all suspected drones are being directed by Russia. However, he said he suspected the drone was being operated by a state actor whose aim was to create uncertainty in Germany.
Drones seen at Berlin, Munich airports
Drone sightings this year have disrupted German airports, canceled flights and caused headaches for travelers.
For example, Munich Airport conducted air traffic control operations on 3 October, as the city hosted the world-famous Oktoberfest event. In November, Berlin Brandenburg Airport also had to suspend operations for about two hours due to sightings of unidentified drones.
Drones are also sometimes seen over German military installations.
german news outlets mirror The report said four drones were seen over a German military base in the northeastern town of Gnoen, near the major city of Rostock, on October 13. Ukrainian soldiers were undergoing training at the Gnoyan base at the time of the incident, the report said.
German officials want more effective drone response
German authorities are now trying to combat unmanned aerial vehicles in a more effective and rapid way.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Wednesday opened the Joint Counter-Drone Center (GDAZ) in Berlin, which will coordinate federal and state capabilities in terms of drone defense.
“The Joint Counter-Drone Center operates around the clock and is designated to respond to security threats in a rapid and coordinated manner,” a German government statement said. “It combines the technical expertise of the federal and state governments, creating a strong framework for ongoing communications, joint situation assessments and coordinated action in drone defense.”
Dobrindt has also appointed a drone defense unit to assist airports and other sites when drone incidents occur.
Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, have also ordered special anti-aircraft tanks that are effective in fighting swarms of drones.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico