Germany has experienced a notable increase in drone activity, particularly over military bases and critical infrastructure.

Reports indicate that in 2023 alone, the number of "suspicious" drone flights rose to 446, a significant jump from 172 in 2022. This trend has drawn attention to the implications for national security amid ongoing geopolitical tensions related to the conflict in Ukraine.

The drone incursions are characterized by silent quadcopters, often unmarked and without clear attribution, which typically occur during twilight or nighttime.

The head of military counterintelligence, Martina Rosenberg, previously expressed concerns about the potential danger posed by these drones, describing them as an "immediate threat".

Geographical analysis suggests that drone flights are concentrated around key NATO and U.S. military installations, particularly in regions like Bavaria, which hosts training facilities for Ukrainian forces.

Locations such as Grafenwöhr, known for hosting training on U.S. Abrams tanks, and Schwesing Air Base, where Ukrainian personnel are being trained on Patriot missile systems, have frequently reported these aerial activities.

Notably, drone flights have also been observed at Luftwaffe bases testing Eurofighters, occurring even during holidays.

The data indicates a particular focus on regions along the Baltic Sea and the English Channel, alongside major industrial areas in Lower Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Sites of significant industrial activity, including BASF, Europe’s largest chemical company, and facilities belonging to military contractor Rheinmetall, have also been targeted.

Many of the drones involved are reported to be small and portable, which allows for easy concealment.

However, evidence suggests that larger reconnaissance drones, such as the Orlan-10, known to be operational in Ukraine and possessing ranges of up to 600 kilometers, could also be part of the activity.

The recent violations of airspace at the highly secured Schwesing Air Base, occurring six times in a short span, have highlighted the limitations of current tracking and interception systems employed by German defenses.

The German authorities speculate that drones may possibly originate from maritime platforms or vessels linked to Russian oil transport operations.

Arrests have been made in previous instances where individuals preparing sabotage plots were found in possession of drones.

Additionally, vehicles bearing Russian diplomatic plates have been noted in proximity to drone incidents, raising further concerns.

German ministers have categorized this situation under the term "hybrid warfare", a notion that encapsulates tactics aimed at destabilizing public perception and diminishing support for Ukraine.

The country is currently grappling with the complexities of legal frameworks regarding drone interception and the roles of police and military in addressing these aerial threats.

Recent efforts have led to the completion of Germany’s first legislation aimed at protecting airspace from drone incursions.