Overview
- Bavaria’s Drone Competence and Defence Centre, which opened to the public on Monday, has been operational since April 1 with about 40 staff and a plan for 100 to reduce disruptions to flights and critical sites.
- The unit can spot and verify drones, jam or take control of them, and use nets, interceptor drones, ramming tactics or police firearms if a drone is deemed dangerous.
- The center will share data and methods with the Federal Police’s joint drone hub in Berlin, while the Bundeswehr remains responsible for larger air threats and border incidents.
- The state built the hub after a surge of sightings in September and October 2025 led to flight cancellations, with 22 cases recorded in Bavaria and five at airports.
- Teams will train officers, steer equipment purchases and support airspace plans for Oktoberfest and the upcoming Katholikentag in Würzburg, a push Greens say still leaves roles and technology reliability unclear.