Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) persistently orbiting the Federal Law Enforcement vessel for extended periods of time.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) persistently orbiting the Federal Law Enforcement vessel for extended periods of time.

In the North Sea, a federal police ship has been monitoring a Russian freighter en route to Belgium. During the operation, the officers reported an unusual incident: seven drones were spotted circling the police ship and the Russian freighter for approximately three hours.

According to a confidential situation report, the incident occurred around May 17, shortly after midnight. The freighter, named "Lauga," was being surveilled by the police vessel "BP 81 Potsdam," located around 140 kilometers north of Borkum, when the crew detected the drones.

Possible origin and purpose of the drones remain unclear. The officers noticed green and red position lights but could not identify the type of drone. No photographs could be taken at night using the available means, the report said. It was unconfirmed whether the drones were launched from the Russian freighter.

In response, the federal police contacted Belgian authorities to conduct an inspection of the freighter upon arrival at the target port. However, no evidence of drones was found on board during the inspection.

Security agencies have documented a rise in drone sightings over critical infrastructure and military facilities. Between February 27 and March 7, almost daily unmanned objects were reported flying over maritime bases, harbors, and chemical parks in North and East Germany. The wingspan of one drone reached up to five meters.

To counteract such incidents, authorities employ various methods, such as radar, optical tracking, and advanced surveillance systems to detect unauthorized drone activity. Additionally, drone-jamming, radio frequency disruption, and physical interception devices are used to prevent drones from approaching sensitive areas. Legal and operational protocols are also implemented to investigate and respond to unauthorized drone flights, including cooperation with local law enforcement and maritime authorities.

In the broader context, although there is no report of similar incidents involving federal police ships in the North Sea, the trend of drone-related security threats in maritime environments is increasing, prompting enhanced surveillance and countermeasures.

1. The rise in drone sightings over critical infrastructure and military facilities, including maritime bases and harbors, emphasizes the importance of political cooperation, particularly in implementing a common foreign and security policy to counteract such threats.
2. As technology advances, the disruption of radio frequencies or physical interception of drones becomes a crucial aspect of the common foreign and security policy, addressing the growing concerns about cybersecurity in politics and general-news scenarios like the mysterious drone incident in the North Sea.

Read also: