Europe in ‘drone arms race’ with Russia, Germany cautions

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has issued a stark warning that Europe is entering a “drone arms race,” framing the growing threat of unmanned systems as a key element of Russia’s strategy against the West, reported Arab News via AFP. 

His remarks came on September 25, as the German armed forces launched a large-scale military drill in Hamburg.

The exercise, called Red Storm Bravo, will run for three days in the northern port city and is designed to test NATO’s ability to rapidly deploy troops in the event of a conflict in a Baltic state. Roughly 500 soldiers are set to participate, alongside police, firefighters, and emergency services, with convoys of armoured vehicles passing through the city. 

Germany’s decision to stage these drills reflects mounting concern over hybrid threats, as reports of unidentified drone flights have increased over German military sites and critical infrastructure. Similar incidents were recorded in September in countries such as Romania and Poland, adding to regional unease.

Dobrindt told parliament that Russia’s “aggression” is pushing Germany to expand its “operational capabilities by developing drone defence systems.” He stressed: “We are engaged in an arms race between the threat posed by drones and the means to counter them.”

Berlin has long accused Moscow of conducting sabotage, espionage and surveillance operations. Yet authorities remain cautious about downing drones, concerned that debris could endanger civilians. 

Instead, the government is moving to invest more heavily in drone detection and interception technologies, while also revising aviation safety rules to improve response options.

With Ukraine’s NATO membership seemingly out of reach, Western allies have turned to an alternative strategy for supporting the country: investing billions in its defence industry. The move also reflects rising European concern over Russia’s growing use of drones and hybrid tactics, prompting NATO members to pursue coordinated defence measures and position Ukraine as a hub for military innovation.

As reported by Maghrebi, drone warfare has become a defining element of the conflict in Ukraine, with Russia claiming to have intercepted 221 Ukrainian drones on the night of September 11.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took office in May, has announced ambitious plans to strengthen Germany’s armed forces, directly linking these initiatives to the threat posed by Russia. Against this backdrop, Hamburg’s drills underscore Germany’s dual approach: preparing for high-intensity conflict while attempting to shore up vulnerabilities exposed by unmanned aerial threats.

Meanwhile, dissent is visible at home. Left-wing groups have organised protests under the slogan “No War Games in Hamburg”, with demonstrations planned outside city hall and near the central railway station.

Arab News via AFP, Maghrebi.org, Reuters