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Germany Admits It Cannot Shoot Down Mystery Drones Violating Its Airspace—Here’s Why
Germany is facing a wave of mysterious drone incursions across its territory—from naval shipyards in Kiel to defense industry sites in Bavaria—but officials admit they are still powerless to stop them.
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The drones have been spotted over critical infrastructure, weapons manufacturers, and military bases. Despite repeated alarms, most vanish without any trace of who launched them or where they came from, German newspaper Bild reported on October 2.
The pressing question: why doesn’t Germany simply shoot them down? The answer, according to officials, is sobering.
NEW: According to a new BILD report, over 500 drone incidents occurred in Germany within three months, mainly targeting military bases and critical energy infrastructure. Many drones flew undetected by radar, suggesting use of advanced or homemade models. Despite 123 criminal… pic.twitter.com/5VwesFqUZC
— GeoInsider (@InsiderGeo) August 8, 2025
The country dismantled its air defense systems in 2010, and a new counter-drone capability is still in the works. Moreover, in populated areas or in busy civilian airspace, firing at drones could send debris crashing to the ground, endangering civilians.
The incidents have piled up in recent days. On September 25, drones appeared over Thyssenkrupp’s naval shipyard in Kiel—where German submarines are built—and soon after, over Kiel University Hospital.
By 10 p.m., they were reported above a coastal power plant, the Kiel state parliament, and the Heide oil refinery. Witnesses described a “mother drone” with fixed wings releasing smaller quadcopters. Some sources even suggested a link to a foreign-flagged ship in the Baltic Sea bound for Russia, though experts say such aircraft could not operate from tankers.
Two days later, drones were observed above Germany’s Navy headquarters in Rostock. On September 29, federal police tracked large drones over the Rostock seaport, while in the south, a drone was seen near a major defense company in Bavaria. Airbus also confirmed that drones flew above several of its facilities for “multiple hours.”
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned in comments to Bild, “The drone overflights are a warning signal!” Schleswig-Holstein state premier Daniel Günther struck a similar tone, saying some sightings were explained, but not all.
“It is clear that the drone overflights in various EU states, Germany, and Schleswig-Holstein in recent weeks and months are primarily aimed at causing uncertainty and destabilization,” Günther said. “Just like disinformation, espionage, and sabotage attempts, they are a tool of hybrid warfare. That is why we need an effective and functioning drone defense as quickly as possible.”
The United States is also reportedly stepping in. Washington is sending P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Norway to monitor NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea.
Earlier, France, Germany, and Sweden announced that they would deploy military personnel and anti-drone systems to Denmark to strengthen security at this week’s European summits in Copenhagen, following recent drone incursions that forced the closure of several Danish airports.
