Read, Watch or Listen

Germany is grappling with a wave of mysterious drones near critical sites—from an industrial park by Hamburg to Munich’s airport and Kiel’s seaport—that halted flights for hours and stranded thousands. Air traffic control logged 172 suspicious incidents around airfields through the end of September, up from 129 during the same period in 2024. Chancellor Friedrich Merz suspects Russia is testing defenses; officials say most drones are commercial, with origins unclear. Legal limits curb the military, spurring proposals to expand its role and launch a federal drone defense center, as the defense minister pledged €10 billion for drones and countermeasures.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.