Germany is preparing a broad package of measures to strengthen the country's protection against drone attacks, cyberattacks, and other forms of sabotage linked to Russia, according to a report published this Sunday by the newspaper Bild am Sonntag.
The plan comes after the attempted drone attack recorded last month at a German airport and in a context of growing concern in Europe about the so-called hybrid threats.
The German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has warned that this type of operation is already part of the daily reality of the country. "These attacks will increase, but we can defend ourselves and protect ourselves," he stated to the newspaper.
Mobile units against drones
Among the main measures planned is the expansion of the mobile capabilities of the Police to confront drones.
The Interior Ministry proposes to create rapid deployment units that would be located in different cities and could intervene to protect the airspace over infrastructures considered strategic, such as major transport hubs or government areas.
The plan also includes expanding the powers of companies responsible for critical infrastructures. Electric companies and manufacturers in the defense sector could have legal authorization not only to detect drones but also to actively intervene against them.
A "cyber dome" to protect infrastructures
The German strategy will not be limited to airspace. The Government intends to create a national digital protection system dubbed “cyber dome”, consisting of a network of sensors designed to detect and intercept attempts of cyber intrusion.
The initiative seeks to strengthen defenses against attacks on infrastructures and systems considered essential for the functioning of the country.
More artificial intelligence and video surveillance
The package also includes greater use of artificial intelligence, biometric facial recognition, and video surveillance systems.
These technologies could be used, for example, in train stations to detect and identify individuals suspected of preparing acts of sabotage.
The proposal represents a strengthening of the surveillance tools available to German security forces in a scenario where Berlin considers that hybrid threats can combine physical attacks, digital operations, and destabilization actions.
Russia denies the accusations
Russia has repeatedly rejected the accusations about the existence of operations of this type in Western Europe and denies any implication in the incident with drones that occurred at the German airport.
Moscow has also warned that it will respond to measures that it considers part of an "anti-Russian" campaign. The German government, for its part, has not officially confirmed the content of the plan disseminated by Bild am Sonntag. The Ministry of the Interior did not immediately respond to a request for comments sent by email regarding the information published by the newspaper.