Lower airspace is frequently a blind spot for German authorities. This was demonstrated by the recent incident involving a drone fitted with explosives at Leipzig-Halle Airport. While suitable detection technologies exist, questions regarding jurisdiction and funding remain unresolved all too often. UAV DACH – European Association for Unmanned Aviation therefore welcomes the initiative by the Green Party parliamentary group in the German Bundestag to establish clear rules and a legal framework for countering illegally operated drones.
"We explicitly support the initiative by the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen parliamentary group in the German Bundestag", says Dr. Gerald Wissel, Chairman of the Executive Board of UAV DACH – European Association for Unmanned Aviation. "Current protection strategies urgently need to be tightened, and central responsibility must be established at the federal level."
Practice-oriented, clearly defined regulatory and supervisory powers, the electronic visibility of all manned and unmanned airspace users via ADS-L, and consistent action against illegal drone operations are prerequisites for unlocking the full economic and social potential of commercial unmanned aviation. To this end, UAV DACH – European Association for Unmanned Aviation published a list of demands regarding drone detection and defense back in December 2025. However, several key issues remain unresolved.