Surveillance drones persistently hovering over the Federal Police vessel for extended periods.
A swarm of drones, believed to be of Russian origin, were reportedly observed circling a German federal police ship for several hours in the North Sea while it was monitoring a Russian freighter bound for Belgium. This incident underscores the increasing concern surrounding the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in maritime surveillance and security, according to an unnamed source from SPIEGEL.
Details of the investigation are not publicly available, but it is within the broader context of drone incidents across Europe and internationally. German authorities are likely to strengthen security measures in response, such as upgrading surveillance systems and coordinating with other European nations to share intelligence on potential drone threats.
The police ship, BP 81 Potsdam, and the Russian freighter, Lauga, were reportedly monitored by the drones for roughly three hours. The officers noticed the drones' green and red navigation lights but could not ascertain their type. Nighttime photography was not feasible with the available equipment, and it remains unclear whether the drones were launched from the Russian freighter. Belgian authorities conducted an inspection of the Lauga at the destination port, but they found no evidence of drones on board.
Incidents involving drones have been on the rise, according to police reports. Unmanned objects have been sighted over military bases, harbors, and chemical parks in northern and eastern Germany frequently between February 27 and March 7. The wingspan of some drones reportedly reached up to five meters. Capturing or disabling drones is rare, as cited in previous sources.
To combat this growing threat, enhanced surveillance systems, civil-military cooperation, international cooperation, and strengthened legislation are crucial. Advanced radar systems, sensor technology, and military sensor technology installed on offshore wind turbines can aid in detecting and responding to drone threats more efficiently. Collaborating with military and international entities may help share intelligence and best practices. Legal regulations pertaining to drone usage could be tightened to control unauthorized activity.
Source: ntv.de, jpe/AFP
[1] Increasing concern over drones and maritime security[2] Earlier incidents involving drones in Germany[3] Pattern of drone activity over military bases, harbors, and chemical parks[4] Preventive measures to address the threat of drones in German waters.
[1] The recent incident of Russian drones circling a German police ship highlights the importance of political cooperation, particularly the common foreign and security policy, to address the growing concern over cybersecurity, technology, and politics, as related to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and maritime security in general-news contexts.
[2] Amidst escalating drone incidents across Europe and internationally, the occurrence of drones over military bases, harbors, and chemical parks in Germany, such as the series that occurred between February 27 and March 7, underscores the urgent need for enhanced surveillance systems, civil-military cooperation, international cooperation, and strengthened legislation to combat this growing threat.
