German parliament OKs law letting military shoot down drones

The Bundestag (German parliament) has passed the federal government’s amended Aviation Security Act, granting the armed forces the authority to shoot down unauthorised drones to prevent serious incidents, while also strengthening airport security.

The legislation was approved in its revised form by the Interior Committee, with backing from CDU/CSU, AfD and SPD, and opposition from Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and Die Linke.

The chamber also adopted a resolution accompanying the law, reflecting similar voting patterns.

The amendment aims to reinforce defences against hybrid attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles targeting critical infrastructure and airports. Under the new rules, the armed forces may assist state police and, if necessary, neutralise drones to avert severe emergencies.

The law also introduces stricter measures against individuals who deliberately enter airport security zones to disrupt air traffic, carrying penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment.

The Bundestag resolution notes a rise in illegal drone flights over energy, water and healthcare facilities, industrial plants and research centres. These sites face growing threats of espionage and sabotage from foreign actors and unknown individuals.

While state authorities may struggle to respond due to the extremely short reaction times required, lawmakers called on the government to explore legal frameworks enabling operators of critical infrastructure to detect and counter dangerous drones.

Separately, the Bundesrat recommended that airlines verify passengers’ identity documents against booking data. It warned that current practices allow travellers to board flights under false identities, creating a significant security gap potentially exploitable by criminals or terrorists.

The federal government responded that a similar proposal had already been submitted in July 2025 and remains under internal review.

By Aghakazim Guliyev