Munich Airport suspended operations for a second consecutive night on Friday after drone sightings disrupted air traffic, affecting 6,500 passengers and forcing cancellations of 35 flights. Police confirmed two simultaneous drone detections near runways around 11 p.m., but the aircraft had departed before they could be identified. Authorities deployed helicopters, but were unable to determine the types or quantities of the drones.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called the incident a wake-up call, urging increased national and European investment in anti-drone technology. The government plans to authorize military forces to destroy threatening drones under proposed legislation. Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder advocated granting police similar authority for immediate response.
Recent drone incidents across Denmark, Norway, Poland, Estonia, and Romania have raised concerns about Russian aggression spreading beyond Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow seeks to escalate tensions throughout Europe. Russia denied involvement, and President Vladimir Putin accused European nations of manufacturing hysteria to justify defense spending increases.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called the incident a wake-up call, urging increased national and European investment in anti-drone technology. The government plans to authorize military forces to destroy threatening drones under proposed legislation. Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder advocated granting police similar authority for immediate response.
Recent drone incidents across Denmark, Norway, Poland, Estonia, and Romania have raised concerns about Russian aggression spreading beyond Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow seeks to escalate tensions throughout Europe. Russia denied involvement, and President Vladimir Putin accused European nations of manufacturing hysteria to justify defense spending increases.
