CDU Proposes to Halt Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) Operation

Sky's No Limit: CDU Takes on Drones Overheads

Potential Aerial Threat: CDU Advocates for Drones Restriction - CDU Proposes to Halt Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) Operation

What's the deal with those drones that peep, cause chaos, or even attack? The CDU in Lower Saxony's parliament is pushing for cops to cut off any nuisance drones before they become a security issue. Such inaction would be downright reckless, says CDU MP, Saskia Buschmann.

The red-green government has been shying away from action, complaints Buschmann: "While drones with eyes, ears, causing disruptions, and destructive capabilities buzz over our heads, the state government just sits back writing reports and analyzing." The SPD and Greens disagree.

Democracy Under Siege

Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) has already warned that democracy is under attack - "not with tanks, but with propaganda, not with bombs, but with bots and misinformation, with drones, with cyber attacks."

Behrens' aim is to collaborate on the state and federal levels for the procurement of technology for drone defense: "Everyone is facing the same challenge, so the closest cooperation of all authorities is crucial."

AfD: Cops are "Naked"

Like the CDU, the AfD also points fingers at the state government for inaction. MP Stefan Marzischewski-Drewes said: "The police in Lower Saxony are clearly lacking resources and need help from the federal government or other federal states." The police are thus "naked". Swarm attacks with drones loaded with explosives at airports are not just an end-of-days scenario, but a real concern.

SPD and Greens Fire Back

SPD MP Alexander Saade criticized the CDU draft, claiming it provides too much leeway for police interventions without judicial control: "Your bill isn't a solution to a security problem. It's a symbolic law that creates more confusion than security."

The Greens labeled the CDU application "piecemeal" and "full of gaps" and promised Red-Green would draft comprehensive regulations as part of the planned reform of the Lower Saxony Police Act.

Green MP Michael Luhmann also accused the CDU of repurposing pending legislation: "You cherry-pick parts of pending laws, then hop on a moving train, make noise, and claim you were the drivers."

Unauthorized drone flights are on the rise

According to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, hybrid threats like espionage and sabotage have been increasing in the wake of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. Unauthorized drone flights, such as those over critical infrastructure or military facilities, have become a daily occurrence, they reported in their annual report for 2024.

The security forces suspect Russia is often behind these flights, but they can't pin it on them. "It's no coincidence that military security areas are targeted, for example, when Ukrainian soldiers are being trained on German or European weapons systems," said the head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution last week.

Critics argue that the CDU's proposed bill would also provide clear legal basis for police drone use, as there is no regulation in the Police and Public Order Act.

SPD politician Saade, however, contends that police drone deployments are already legally covered. "Not every device needs an explicit paragraph. The legislator isn't a user manual for all new technological innovations."

As of now, Lower Saxony's police force has around 20 drones, which have seen increased use in recent times - for example, to document crime scenes, create 3D sketches, find missing persons, or provide live footage at major events. The cost of acquiring each drone, including police gear, ranges from 5,000 to 41,000 euros.

• CDU
• Drone
• Police
• State Parliament
• Lower Saxony
• SPD
• Red-Green
• Democracy
• Daniela Behrens
• AfD
• Espionage
• Hanover

Additional Insights:

• Germany has recently opened a drone corridor over the North Sea, which includes Lower Saxony and requires regulatory approvals for long-range flights [Source 1].
• Drones have been increasingly involved in modern policing strategies for surveillance, public safety, and operational efficiency [Source 2].
• Politicians across parties have emphasized the need for security measures to address concerns about drone threats to democracy and critical infrastructure, while balancing operational innovation with civil-rights protections [Source 2].
• The police strategy and technology forums held in 2025, such as the Police Strategy Forum and discussions on AI and new technology, highlight ongoing efforts by police and policymakers to integrate advanced technologies like drones responsibly [Source 3].

1. The Commission in Lower Saxony's state parliament, consisting of the CDU, has proposed a decision from the Council on the granting of a Community guarantee for the financing of projects relating to drone defense, aiming to combat nuisance drones before they become a security issue.
2. This proposal for drone defense policy and legislation is a critical issue in Lower Saxony's politics, as it addresses concerns about democracy, critical infrastructure, and espionage from drones, strengthening the focus on police and police technology in the general news and crime-and-justice sectors.

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