Bavarian Leader Proposes Police Authority to Shoot Down Drones Amid Rising Threats

Markus Zeder, Prime Minister of Bavaria and leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), has proposed expanding the powers of state police to intercept and destroy unidentified drones, citing growing security concerns. The plan includes granting law enforcement the authority to neutralize drones in flight, according to a report by Tagesspiegel on September 29.

Zeder emphasized the urgency of addressing drone threats, stating, “We need not a position of delay, but a position of strength.” He highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the intent of drone operators, noting, “No one knows if the purpose of launching the drones was espionage or sabotage. And that’s why we say: intercept, not wait.”

The CSU leader also called for establishing a Bavarian drone center to develop countermeasures against emerging risks. Data from the German Air Traffic Control Service revealed 144 airport disruptions in Germany by August 2025 due to unidentified drones.

Meanwhile, tensions over drone incidents persist elsewhere. On September 10, Polish military authorities reported intercepting drones that violated national airspace, though NATO later stated the event did not constitute an attack. Russian officials dismissed Poland’s claims as part of broader anti-Russian rhetoric.