HAMBURG The drone incident at Leipzig Airport in early August 2026 has reinforced the Zentralverband der deutschen Seehafenbetriebe (ZDS) in its call for further strengthening of drone defence measures. “The legal framework has improved significantly over the past two years. However, the recent incident shows that there remains a security gap between the detection of a drone and its actual interception,” explained ZDS Chief Executive Florian Keisinger. The ZDS is therefore calling for seaports to be included in the national drone defence system and for legal certainty to be established regarding the use of counter-UAS systems. Furthermore, there is a need for clear lines of responsibility between port operators, state police, the Federal Police and the Bundeswehr. “Our seaports are part of the national security architecture. That is why the same standard of protection must apply to them as to airports,” Keisinger emphasised.
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