The subject of detecting and defending against illegally operated UAS to secure general airspace and protect critical infrastructure facilities is currently a hot topic in public debate. And with good reason, as Dr. Gerald Wissel, CEO of UAV DACH, emphasizes: “We urgently need a national strategy for drone detection and defense that establishes clear rules, precise responsibilities, and a reliable legal framework in order to fully exploit the potential of these technologies.” Because one thing is clear: consistent efforts to combat the misuse of UAS outside the applicable legal framework are of immense importance for the safe commercial operation of drones.
However, the current focus on drone detection and defense should not hide the fact that unmanned aircraft systems do not pose a threat per se. In fact, the opposite is true. UAS make all our lives better, safer, more efficient, and more environmentally sustainable in many ways. “The fight against illegal drones must not lead to commercial UAS applications being placed under general suspicion,” emphasizes Dr. Gerald Wissel.
UAV DACH is committed to safe and economically sustainable UAS flight operations. This also includes technical and regulatory frameworks for dealing with uncooperative, illegally operated drones. In a joint working group with the German Aerospace Industries Association, experts from UAV DACH have developed specific recommendations for action for the German federal government, which could also promote these at the European level. At a parliamentary breakfast on October 7, 2025, in Berlin, politicians from all parliamentary groups will first be informed, and the package of measures will then be presented to the public.