Reul demands clear responsibilities for drone defense

Specifically, Reul called for a uniform nationwide regulation of responsibilities. This also includes a clearly defined role for the Bundeswehr on domestic territory if drones pose an acute threat to critical infrastructure. Such a determination must be made as quickly as possible to enable smooth action in an emergency.

Greens support Reul's demand

Reul received support from the opposition in the Bundestag. Konstantin von Notz said that, following the recent incidents, better coordination between authorities is essential. A central body is needed to pool information and coordinate operational forces, according to his parliamentary group.

The background is several drone sightings near sensitive facilities. According to authorities, affected sites included locations in North Rhine-Westphalia as well as Leipzig/Halle Airport. Similar incidents have recently occurred in other federal states, without a central body coordinating the investigations and defense measures.

Experts see a growing security risk in the rising number of private drones. Although prohibited zones already exist around airports and federal properties, their enforcement is considered patchy. In addition to clarifying responsibilities, the use of modern detection and jamming technology is also being discussed.

Legal situation and political debate

Interior politicians from the ranks of the CDU, including Reul himself, continue to see the federal states as responsible for defending against civilian drones, while at the same time emphasizing the need for nationwide standards. The federal government must create clear framework conditions so that the states can fall back on shared resources when needed.

The federal government had previously announced a tightening of aviation security law. This includes, among other things, higher fines for prohibited drone flights and expanded powers for security authorities. However, a concrete draft law has not yet been presented.

Outlook: Pressure on the federal government grows

Observers see the demand from North Rhine-Westphalia as a signal to the incoming federal government to make drone defense a priority. Reul has repeatedly pointed to the threat posed by drones in the past and called for a national strategy. In light of the current incidents, pressure on the federal government is likely to continue to mount.

So far, it is only clear that the coming weeks will show whether the federal government and the states can agree on a joint approach. Until then, responsibility in individual cases often remains a case-by-case decision by the respective state authorities – a situation Reul explicitly criticized.