Berlin: Germany has set up new rapid response military teams to deal with the growing threat of drones across Europe. The move comes as security officials warn about the increasing use of drones for surveillance and potential attacks near airports and military bases.

According to the German Defence Ministry, the new units are specially trained to detect, track and neutralize hostile drones using advanced sensors and counter-drone systems. These teams can be deployed quickly both within Germany and to allied nations when needed.

The first team has already been sent to Belgium at the request of the Belgian government. An advance group of air force personnel is working with Belgian forces to coordinate a temporary mission focused on drone detection and neutralization. The main deployment is expected to follow soon.

Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, head of Germany’s joint operations command, said the initiative marks a significant step in strengthening European security cooperation. He noted that drone activity over sensitive areas has increased, raising concerns about hybrid warfare tactics that some officials suspect may be linked to foreign state actors.

The growing concern over drones has led Germany to push for stronger laws and technical measures. The government is also preparing legislation that would allow police to shoot down rogue drones in restricted airspace, including near airports and government buildings.

Experts say drones have become a new challenge in modern warfare because they are cheap, small and difficult to detect. They can easily disrupt air traffic or gather intelligence without being traced. While the cost of drones is low, the systems required to defend against them are often expensive and complex.

Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has emphasized that the country’s focus will be on layered and efficient defences rather than large-scale infrastructure such as a so-called drone wall. He said cooperation with European partners is essential to address the shared risk.

The creation of these rapid response units shows Germany’s commitment to adapting to new forms of threats and ensuring that Europe remains prepared for the next stage of modern security challenges.