Germany is set to establish a specialized research center focused on developing technologies to counter unmanned aerial vehicles. The facility will be based at the test airfield of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cochstedt, Saxony-Anhalt.
The official launch is scheduled for August 18, according to Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. He stressed that the rapid evolution of drone technology requires dedicated research units to keep pace with emerging threats.
The new center will be created in partnership with the DLR. It is intended to develop, test, and implement advanced counter-drone systems in realistic operational conditions. Its core mission is to integrate scientific expertise, technological innovation, and the practical requirements of security agencies.
The announcement follows a recent incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where a drone carrying an explosive device was found near Ukrainian cargo aircraft. Dobrindt noted that Germany faces hybrid threats on a daily basis, including espionage, sabotage, and other efforts aimed at destabilization.
The center is expected to become Germany’s only facility of this scale dedicated to systems for detecting, intercepting, and neutralizing drones.