Dobrindt had already announced earlier this week plans to strengthen the country’s drone defences, part of broader push to build up the armed forces following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
On Saturday, he confirmed that he wants to revise air safety laws to allow the “shooting down of drones” by the armed forces.
“What we are witnessing is an arms race – an arms race between drone threats and drone defence. We must prepare ourselves for this,” he said.
Currently police have the main responsibility for defending against drones, and changes were needed, he said.
Tabloid Bild reported that downing drones by the military would only be permitted in certain circumstances, such as if they pose a serious danger to human life or critical infrastructure.
Germany, one of Ukraine’s key backers in its fight against Russia, had so far been reluctant to shoot down drones for fear that debris could cause casualties.
The GdP police union voiced opposition to Dobrindt’s plan, telling the Rheinische Post newspaper that domestic security was the responsibility of the police, not the military.
Drone warfare has been a core feature of the Ukraine conflict and NATO countries bordering Russia hope to build a “drone defence wall” — a network of technological and military solutions to counter these aerial threats.
