Drone (Illustrative photo: General Staff))
Unidentified drones have been increasingly observed hovering over German military installations. Over a span of three months, a total of 536 drones were recorded, according to a confidential report from the Federal Criminal Police Office in Meckenheim, titled “Drones as a means of committing a crime,” which has been acquired by Bild.
The document outlines the first quarter of 2025 – January, February, and March. During this timeframe, 270 instances of unidentified drones were noted. In at least 55 incidents, two or more drones were seen simultaneously.
UAVs were most frequently (45% of occurrences) detected during the evening hours, specifically from 18:00 to midnight. An additional 28% of sightings occurred between midnight and 06:00. Fewer incidents took place during daylight, with 13% in the morning and 14% in the afternoon.
According to the analysis, military facilities were the primary targets, with 117 reports logged. Drones were notably frequently spotted near the German Air Force naval base in Lower Saxony, with 10 observed incidents.
As many as 15 drones were detected flying in formation over the US Ramstein Air Base located in Rhineland-Palatinate or over Bremerhaven.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that energy infrastructure was also under surveillance, with 88 reported incidents.
“The majority occurred above the liquefied natural gas terminals in Stadt, Wilhelmshaven (both in Lower Saxony) and Brunsbüttel (Schleswig-Holstein),” the report states.
It also indicates that surveillance activities were directed at civilian airports, ports, railway stations, defense companies, and government and administrative buildings.
Prosecutors have initiated 123 criminal investigations across various regions of Germany. Earlier inquiries have not managed to establish foreign involvement but have not dismissed the possibility either. Only in eight instances have the drone operators been identified.
“Typically, commercial drones are detected by surveillance systems. However, there are instances of drone sightings where detection systems or radars employed by both military and law enforcement have failed to identify them. Drones that evade detection, in particular, suggest the presence of non-commercial or military drones,” the Bild report cites.
Law enforcement representatives have pointed out that a failure of systems to detect drones might also indicate intentional tampering or the use of homemade drones.
- Drones were observed over German military installations on January 13. Authorities are probing potential Russian espionage.
- On February 9, drones were sighted above a German base where Ukrainians are undergoing training, with no successful interceptions.
Drone (Illustrative photo: General Staff))
Unidentified drones have been increasingly observed hovering over German military installations. Over a span of three months, a total of 536 drones were recorded, according to a confidential report from the Federal Criminal Police Office in Meckenheim, titled “Drones as a means of committing a crime,” which has been acquired by Bild.
The document outlines the first quarter of 2025 – January, February, and March. During this timeframe, 270 instances of unidentified drones were noted. In at least 55 incidents, two or more drones were seen simultaneously.
UAVs were most frequently (45% of occurrences) detected during the evening hours, specifically from 18:00 to midnight. An additional 28% of sightings occurred between midnight and 06:00. Fewer incidents took place during daylight, with 13% in the morning and 14% in the afternoon.
According to the analysis, military facilities were the primary targets, with 117 reports logged. Drones were notably frequently spotted near the German Air Force naval base in Lower Saxony, with 10 observed incidents.
As many as 15 drones were detected flying in formation over the US Ramstein Air Base located in Rhineland-Palatinate or over Bremerhaven.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that energy infrastructure was also under surveillance, with 88 reported incidents.
“The majority occurred above the liquefied natural gas terminals in Stadt, Wilhelmshaven (both in Lower Saxony) and Brunsbüttel (Schleswig-Holstein),” the report states.
It also indicates that surveillance activities were directed at civilian airports, ports, railway stations, defense companies, and government and administrative buildings.
Prosecutors have initiated 123 criminal investigations across various regions of Germany. Earlier inquiries have not managed to establish foreign involvement but have not dismissed the possibility either. Only in eight instances have the drone operators been identified.
“Typically, commercial drones are detected by surveillance systems. However, there are instances of drone sightings where detection systems or radars employed by both military and law enforcement have failed to identify them. Drones that evade detection, in particular, suggest the presence of non-commercial or military drones,” the Bild report cites.
Law enforcement representatives have pointed out that a failure of systems to detect drones might also indicate intentional tampering or the use of homemade drones.
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