{
  "id": 1701333,
  "title": "Technologiezentrum eröffnet: Neues Drohnenzentrum soll Deutschland sicherer machen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/technologiezentrum-eroffnet-neues-drohnenzentrum-soll-deutschland",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-18T11:43:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/technologiezentrum-eroeffnet-neues-drohnenzentrum-soll-deutschland-sicherer-machen/100248003.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Germany faces an increasingly complex threat landscape, with hybrid dangers including drones becoming more advanced and harder to defend against. To counter this, a new Drone Security Technology Centre is opening in Cochstedt, Saxony-Anhalt, at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) site. Up to ten million euros will be invested in expanding the facility over the coming years. The centre will work with researchers to develop technologies for safe drone use, detection, and deterrence, testing them in realistic conditions. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt warned that Germany is a daily target of hybrid attacks, with espionage, sabotage, destabilization, influence, and manipulation being part of the threat. These threats have escalated, as shown by a recent drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where a modified drone packed with explosives was discovered between Ukrainian cargo planes. While the perpetrator remains unclear, Dobrindt emphasized that this is part of a broader threat. Regarding potential Russian involvement, Dobrindt remained cautious, stating that evidence must first be gathered before assigning responsibility. Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär also highlighted Russia's ongoing cyberwar against Ukraine, indicating that drone technology is becoming increasingly advanced, posing new threat scenarios. The German government describes this as a \"arms race\" in drone defense technology, with partners from Israel and Ukraine reporting innovation cycles of just eight to twelve weeks. To keep up, the defence must match this pace. At the DLR Cochstedt site, around 40 people work permanently, with a target of 65 in the future. Larger exercises have already seen up to 250 representatives from the Federal Criminal Police, Federal and State Police, Bundeswehr, and other agencies present simultaneously. The Federal Police will also double its drone defense capabilities, with a mobile defense unit of 300 personnel that can be deployed across Germany. The Federal Police will also set up a joint drone defense center with the Bundeswehr, where security agencies and the military will collaborate. This technology centre in Cochstedt will be the third pillar of this strategy, allowing companies and security agencies to test new technologies under the most realistic conditions.",
  "summary": "Drohnen werden leistungsfähiger und schwieriger abzuwehren. In Sachsen-Anhalt soll neue Technik dagegen erprobt werden. Bundesinnenminister Dobrindt warnt vor einer verschärften Bedrohungslage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}