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Czechia Moves to Legalize Shooting Down Threatening Drones Near Critical Infrastructure
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The Czech government is advancing legislation that would allow security personnel and police to neutralize drones posing a threat near critical infrastructure. The proposed law would introduce new legal powers aimed at protecting facilities such as power plants, airports, and other key infrastructure.
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On July 21, the Czech Interior Ministry announced that a draft law prepared jointly with the Ministry of Transport had been submitted for interministerial review. The proposal is designed to establish a legal framework for responding to unauthorized drone activity in protected areas.
The legislation would create designated high-security zones around critical infrastructure, where authorities could intervene if an unauthorized drone enters the area and is deemed to pose a threat. Under the proposal, security personnel responsible for protecting critical infrastructure, alongside police, would receive expanded powers to respond quickly to such incidents.
“In recent years, the number of incidents involving the unauthorized movement of unmanned aircraft systems near elements of critical infrastructure has increased significantly. Current legislation does not allow operators or security forces to respond sufficiently and adequately in some situations,” Czech Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar said.
The draft law also states that any action taken against a drone must be proportionate and carried out in a way that avoids unnecessary risks to people while minimizing damage to property and the environment.
According to the Interior Ministry, the legislation aims to provide clear legal rules for responding to security incidents involving drones without unnecessarily interfering with lawful drone operations.
The proposal comes as several European countries strengthen protections for critical infrastructure amid growing security concerns.
Earlier this month, Latvia announced additional measures to improve the protection of key infrastructure against potential Russian provocations, while Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said intelligence indicated Russia could be preparing provocations targeting Poland or the Baltic states, including attacks on critical infrastructure.
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