Germany on 'high alert' as more mysterious drones cause airport menace

Germany has ramped up its national security posture after a wave of mysterious drone sightings have taken place across Europe. Speaking in Berlin on Saturday, German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, described the drone threat as "high" and said that Germany is going to take measures to protect itself. He confirmed that the German government is exploring legal changes to give the military the authority to intercept or even shoot down rogue drones when critical infrastructure or public safety is at risk.

German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, told journalists in Berlin: "There is a threat that can be classified as high when it comes to drones. It is an abstract threat, but very concrete in individual cases."

He added: "It's about being prepared so that critical infrastructure or large gatherings of people, for example, can be protected."

This comes following various drone incursions in several parts of Denmark that brought the country's air traffic to a standstill throughout the week.

Several airports, including Copenhagen, the busiest airport in Scandinavia, were forced to suspend operations following multiple reports of unidentified drones flying through restricted airspace.

Unidentified drones were seen on Friday night near major military bases including Karup, the Armed Forces said, which is the country's largest base.

Denmark is not the only country to have reported rogue drones. Possible sightings have also been recorded in other European countries including Norway and France.

On Monday evening, a drone sighting near Oslo Airport prompted authorities to shut down the airport's airspace for approximately four hours, and drones were seen near the Orland airbase, home to Norway's fleet of F-35 fighter jets.

In France, unidentified drones were spotted flying over Mourmelon-le-Grand military base, a military base which reportedly holds the 501st tank regiment and has trained Ukrainian soldiers.

The sightings have shocked the continent and sparked alarm among aviation and defence authorities.

NATO officials have expressed suspicion that Russia may be behind the recent wave of drone disruptions across Europe.

On Friday, September 26, defence ministers from 10 EU countries agreed to reinforce the eastern borders with a coordinated "drone wall" which aims to deter Russian interference.