Bavarian premier advocates empowering police to neutralize drone threats

Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), has called for an expansion of police authority to effectively counter the escalating threat posed by drones, including granting officers the power to shoot them down if necessary.

Speaking after a CSU executive committee meeting in Munich, Söder outlined plans to introduce a dedicated Bavarian law on drone protection, which would legally empower local police forces to act swiftly and autonomously against unauthorized or hostile drones, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Highlighting the urgency of addressing this emerging security challenge, Söder emphasized the need for a dual approach involving both drone interceptors and specialized “drone hunters.” These systems would not only defend critical infrastructure by neutralizing drones but also enable continuous tracking and, if required, targeted elimination of aerial threats.

Furthermore, Söder proposed the establishment of a specialized drone centre in Bavaria tasked with developing cutting-edge counter-drone technologies. He underscored that these initiatives would be coordinated closely with the federal government to ensure cohesive national security measures.

Acknowledging the rapid advancement and increasing accessibility of unmanned aerial systems, Söder stressed the importance of adopting a proactive and robust stance. “Given the growing threat from drones, a posture of strength is indispensable,” he stated. “That is why we advocate for interception over inaction.”

By Vafa Guliyeva