In Germany, drones were spotted near a secret Bundeswehr base where Patriot systems are being repaired
In the German town of Mechernich, a series of suspicious drone flights was recorded near a key Bundeswehr facility where, among other things, maintenance and repairs are carried out on Patriot air defense systems.
Mechernich is located in the Eifel region, southwest of Bonn.
An important Bundeswehr logistics base is located there.
On the grounds of the military facility is a secure underground warehouse located at a depth of about 130 meters. Equipment and spare parts for military hardware are stored in an area of approximately 30,000 square meters.
What makes the facility particularly noteworthy is that Bundeswehr specialists responsible for the maintenance and repair of the Patriot systems work here. Within the German armed forces, this facility is referred to as the “Patriot shipyard.” It is likely the only specialized base of its kind in Europe.
According to WDR, NDR, and the Süddeutsche Zeitung, security guards recorded at least six drone flyovers last week at night. The incidents occurred between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
During the most recent incident, officers from the Euskirchen District Police Department were on site, having been warned in advance about the possible appearance of drones.
According to a confidential police report, law enforcement officers also witnessed at least one flight. It is reported that one of the drones circled briefly over emergency services.
The German military police also observed the incident. They were located approximately 40 meters from the observation site.
A preliminary assessment by the military police indicates that the drone spotted may have been a Fly-380 VTOL model.
Such drones have:
- a wingspan of about 3.8 meters;
- a range of up to 400 km;
- a maximum speed of up to 150 km/h;
- the ability to carry a payload of over 10 kg.
Drones of this type can be used for surveying, mapping, border security, and delivering cargo to hard-to-reach areas.
At the same time, investigators have not yet determined who is behind the drone flights over the military facility.
The North Rhine-Westphalia state police and federal security agencies have been brought in to assist with the investigation.
A preliminary investigation did not confirm the theory that the drone might have been accidentally conducting surveying work in the vicinity of the military base.
The police are currently considering the possibility of unauthorized filming of military facilities, weapons, or restricted areas.
Germany’s Military Counterintelligence Service and the Joint Drone Defense Center in Berlin have also been brought in to assist with the investigation.
Thus, the series of flights near Mechernich is causing particular concern because the facility is a key link in Germany’s military logistics chain and specializes in the repair of Patriot air defense systems.
This information was reported by the WDR and NDR television channels and the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, according to Tagesschau.
On the night of August 7, six unidentified drones were spotted in Germany flying over a military facility in Mechernich. This is a key Bundeswehr logistics center where military equipment and spare parts are stored, and Patriot air defense systems are repaired.
Germany is preparing emergency measures to maintain supply chains due to critically low water levels in the country’s key rivers. These include, in particular, the Rhine, Danube, and Elbe, which play a vital role in freight transport.
