On the night of September 25, 2025, a wave of mysterious drone sightings swept across northern Germany, sending ripples of concern through the country’s security establishment and its neighbors. Authorities in Schleswig-Holstein, the northernmost German state, scrambled to investigate as multiple unidentified drones appeared over critical infrastructure—ranging from a power plant in Kiel to a university hospital, a shipyard, and even government buildings. The incidents, reported by Der Spiegel and AP, came as part of a broader pattern of drone incursions that has left officials and the public alike on edge.
According to Bild, Germany has experienced more than 500 drone incidents within just three months, a staggering figure that underscores the scale of the problem. These drones have not been limited to Schleswig-Holstein; they have been spotted over weapons manufacturers in Bavaria, military bases, and even the headquarters of the German Navy in Rostock. Many of the drones are described as advanced or homemade models, capable of evading radar detection. Witnesses in Kiel reported seeing a 'mother drone' with fixed wings that released smaller quadcopters—a detail that has only deepened the mystery.
The situation escalated further when, on the same night as the German incidents, at least two large drones were seen flying over the Karlskrona archipelago in southern Sweden, just six miles from a major naval base. Locals in the Swedish islands of Sturko and Tjurko described drones flashing red and green lights, and police were alerted to one near the Möcklösundsbron bridge. As SVT reported, Mattias Lundgren, the investigation lead at the Karlskrona police, said, “It is a larger variant, similar to the one that was over Denmark and Skåne.”
These Nordic sightings were not isolated. Just days earlier, Denmark’s busiest airport was forced to shut down after drones were spotted overhead, grounding planes and causing widespread travel disruption. Additional drone activity was reported over Aalborg, Sonderborg, and Esbjerg airports, as well as near the Skrydstrup airbase. Jens Jespersen, a police inspector in Copenhagen, told TV2, “There is nothing to suggest that they intended to harm anyone. They intended to show off. It is an actor who has the capabilities, the will and the tools to show off in this way.”
Denmark’s Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, responded by requesting assistance from Nordic colleagues and NATO, seeking additional technology and capacity to counter the drone threat. Meanwhile, drones were also spotted hovering near Oslo airport in Norway, though any connection to the other incidents remains unclear.
The timing of these incursions was particularly alarming, as the German military was conducting drills in Hamburg specifically aimed at strengthening defenses against drone incursions. In response to the incidents, Schleswig-Holstein’s Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack announced that state police were boosting counter-drone defenses in coordination with the Bundeswehr and neighboring regions. She told a state parliament committee that flying objects of “various types and sizes” had been spotted and confirmed an investigation was underway, led by Chief Public Prosecutor Stephanie Gropp.
Despite the flurry of activity and heightened vigilance, authorities admit they are still largely powerless to stop these drones. As Bild highlighted, Germany dismantled its air defense systems in 2010, and a new counter-drone capability is still in development. Shooting down drones in populated areas or busy civilian airspace is not a viable option, as debris could endanger civilians on the ground. This leaves officials in a bind: they can track and investigate, but not always act decisively to neutralize the threat.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt addressed the growing unease, cautioning against overreaction but acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. “I will explicitly say that not every drone controlled by foreign powers is automatically a threat either,” he stated, as reported by AP. However, he also warned, “The drone overflights are a warning signal!” Dobrindt noted that some incidents could be seen as provocations, requiring authorities to “respond appropriately” to the respective threat.
Schleswig-Holstein state premier Daniel Günther went further, framing the drone overflights as part of a broader campaign of hybrid warfare. “It is clear that the drone overflights in various EU states, Germany, and Schleswig-Holstein in recent weeks and months are primarily aimed at causing uncertainty and destabilization,” Günther said. “Just like disinformation, espionage, and sabotage attempts, they are a tool of hybrid warfare. That is why we need an effective and functioning drone defense as quickly as possible.”
The urgency of the situation has prompted international responses. The United States is sending P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Norway to monitor NATO airspace over the Baltic Sea, a move aimed at bolstering regional security. France, Germany, and Sweden have also announced they will deploy military personnel and anti-drone systems to Denmark to reinforce security at European summits in Copenhagen, following the recent drone incursions that forced the closure of several Danish airports.
The aviation industry, already on high alert after a cyberattack disrupted operations at major airports including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin, is watching developments closely. The cyber incident, which affected Collins Aerospace ground services, forced airline staff to manually input passenger and baggage details, adding to the sense of vulnerability in the sector.
German authorities have urged caution in interpreting the drone sightings, emphasizing that not every incident is necessarily a direct threat. Nonetheless, the scale, coordination, and apparent sophistication of the recent incursions have left little doubt that Europe’s critical infrastructure and security are facing new and evolving challenges. As investigations continue in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, officials are racing to adapt to a threat that is as elusive as it is alarming.
While no drones have yet been seized and the actors behind the incursions remain unidentified, the incidents have served as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in Europe’s airspace. The pressure is now on governments and security agencies to develop and deploy effective countermeasures before the next wave of mysterious drones appears overhead.
