Drones raise espionage concerns over key German sites
In recent weeks, drones have been spotted over significant facilities in Germany, including the Ramstein military base. The website Spiegel.de reports that German security services are looking into these incidents as potential espionage activities. The American military has confirmed these occurrences.
In the early days of December, drones were seen over the Ramstein American military base in Germany, located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. According to a report by German security services, cited by Spiegel.de, drones flew over the complex on the evening of December 3rd and 4th. The Ramstein base is a crucial operational centre for U.S. forces in Europe.
Drones over important facilities in Germany
These are not isolated incidents. Unmanned aerial vehicles were also seen over the Rheinmetall defence industry plants and the chemical production giant BASF. Despite comprehensive searches, authorities could not immediately identify the drone operators.
The American military confirmed the entirety of the incident to the German weekly, noting that it did not impact the operation of the American base or the safety of its residents. "We therefore keep an eye on suspicious activities at all times and work closely with the relevant security authorities," said the spokesperson for the American base in Germany.
German authorities have been investigating the incidents for months as possible espionage activities. In the summer, similar flying devices were observed over the chemical park in Brunsbüttel. The prosecutor's office in Flensburg initiated an investigation due to suspected "espionage activity for sabotage purposes," and the Bundeswehr was also informed. Last week, this topic was discussed at the conference of interior ministers in Brandenburg, but no agreement on further actions was reached.
