The military cannot legally target UAVs beyond their bases due to constitutional constraints, the paper says<\/p>\n
Legal restrictions introduced after the collapse of the Nazi regime are preventing the German military from shooting down suspected \u2018Russian drones\u2019 over its own territory, Politico reported on Friday.
\nIn recent weeks, officials in several Western nations have accused Russian aircraft and drones of violating EU airspace, describing the incidents as part of Moscow\u2019s \u201chybrid war.\u201d The Kremlin has denied the allegations, calling them unproven and accusing the West of anti-Russia \u201chysteria.\u201d
\nAs EU states discuss the creation of a \u201cdrone wall\u201d and loosening their air engagement rules, Politico noted that Germany\u2019s efforts are uniquely constrained by its \u201cNazi legacy.\u201d
\nAccording to the report, the German Armed Forces \u201ccan\u2019t simply shoot drones in the country\u2019s domestic airspace\u201d because of restrictions built into the postwar constitution. The Basic Law, adopted in 1949, \u201cexplicitly prevents the military\u2026 from taking a key role in the country\u2019s internal security\u201d to avoid any repeat of the way the Nazi government used the military to suppress political dissent, Politico wrote.<\/p>\n
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Three Germans arrested in Norway over drone incident \u2013 Bild<\/p>\n
Under the current law, Politico said, the army \u201cis only able to shoot down drones over military bases.\u201d The federal police have the right to do so, but lack the means for efficient anti-drone warfare. The military can only offer \u201cadministrative assistance,\u201d such as identifying drones or passing on information to civilian agencies.
\nThomas Rowekamp, the chair of the parliamentary Defense Committee, told Politico: \u201cWe need to amend the laws so that the only ones able to take care of this \u2013 namely the German Armed Forces \u2013 are also given the authority to do so.\u201d
\nPolitico noted, however, that changing the constitution could prove politically challenging. Chancellor Friedrich Merz\u2019s coalition holds one of the weakest majorities in postwar history and could face significant resistance from parties such as the right-wing Alternative for Germany.
\nRussia has accused the EU of reckless militarization, and has stated that Germany is deeply involved in the Ukraine conflict due to the support it provides Kiev.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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