Germany’s Decisions on Drone Threats: Why Action Can’t Wait

It’s hard to ignore the increasing frequency of drone-related incidents happening around the world. Germany, in particular, has been in the spotlight recently as drones have been spotted at some of its most critical sites. According to a Financial Times report, drones have appeared at the US military airbase in Ramstein, facilities where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained, and even at the headquarters of German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall. This isn’t just a Germany problem either - last November, a British aircraft carrier in Hamburg was approached by a drone.

The rise in these incidents highlights an uncomfortable reality that drones are becoming more than just a minor disruption. They’re being used for unauthorised surveillance, smuggling, and also posing direct threats to critical infrastructure. It’s a clear sign that we’re dealing with an issue that requires immediate attention. As Ulrike Franke from the European Council on Foreign Relations put it, “the law was behind the reality.” That’s the challenge we’re facing - technology is advancing rapidly, and we are struggling to keep pace.

The risks aren’t hypothetical anymore. When drones are regularly disrupting operations at military sites or hovering over critical infrastructure, the question isn’t if something will go wrong but when. Countries like Estonia are already stepping up. As Marduk Technologies COO Leet Rauno Lember points out, “We are even seeing proactive steps in Estonia, where organisations like Elering are making forward-looking investments to protect critical infrastructure. These examples show an increasing need to prioritise infrastructure security before threats escalate.”

If a drone is posing a real threat - whether it’s to critical infrastructure or human lives - there’s no time to lose. The reality is that law enforcement might not always be able to intervene quickly enough. That’s why it’s crucial to have technology that can step in. These systems need to work in real-time, with the ability to detect, identify, and neutralise the threat safely and effectively.

At Marduk Technologies, we’re passionate about building these kinds of solutions because we believe counter-drone systems are no longer a “nice to have.” They’re a must.

Germany’s approach to addressing this challenge head-on is a move in the right direction. It’s not easy to make these kinds of decisions, but it’s absolutely necessary. Germany is showing that proactive action can make all the difference. It’s a reminder to all of us: protecting critical infrastructure and public safety requires more than just awareness - it demands action, innovation, and a willingness to adapt to new realities.

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