By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Munich Airport in Germany experienced a near seven-hour closure due to drone sightings, grounding 17 flights and affecting almost 3,000 passengers. Fifteen arriving flights were diverted to other cities. The airport reopened after 5 a.m. local time, and the cause of these drone sightings remains under investigation, mirroring similar incidents across Europe. The situation has heightened concerns regarding European security, with discussions of measures such as a “drone wall” initiative to protect the continent’s skies.
Read the original article here
Munich Airport closed after a wave of drone sightings, officials say, and it’s understandable that this situation immediately raises questions about who’s behind it and what the motivations might be. The immediate impact is clear: disruptions to travel, and that’s a significant inconvenience for many. But the implications reach far beyond delayed flights.
Why this is happening is the first thing that comes to mind, and the suspicion, understandably, falls on Russia. The suggestion that this is “revenge” for closures at Moscow airports is a theory being floated around. The reasoning, though speculative, is that this is a way of escalating tension without a direct military confrontation. The question is, is this part of a broader strategy, a calculated move to test boundaries, or something else entirely? And if it *is* Russia, what are they hoping to achieve? Is it a way of saying “leave me alone or I’ll start dropping civilian airlines with drone bombs”?
The possibility of copycats or other actors certainly comes into play. Drones are relatively easy to obtain and operate, which makes it difficult to pinpoint the responsible party. Could it be an individual or a group with malicious intent? Are we dealing with amateurs, or is there a higher level of sophistication involved? And the idea of these being “drunk Austrians,” or even “weather balloons 🎈 from China” quickly seems less likely.
The type of drones being used is another significant question. Are we talking about off-the-shelf models, or something more advanced, perhaps even military-grade? The distinction matters because it gives clues about the capabilities and the potential motives of those deploying them. The fact that countermeasures, including attempts to shoot them down, have not been successful is a red flag, indicating possibly advanced technology. And if that’s the case, the implication is that the drones were sophisticated. Are the drones capable of jamming other signals?
The idea that these drones might be related to something more sinister, such as a campaign of hybrid warfare, is a serious one. It’s a way of conducting hostilities without triggering a formal declaration of war. Considering that airports in Norway and Denmark have also been targeted, there’s a pattern emerging that needs to be considered. It’s a clear suggestion that the situation has escalated beyond a simple security concern.
The response of NATO becomes crucial in this situation. If these drone incidents are indeed orchestrated by a state actor, then NATO’s reaction is something the world will be watching closely. If NATO’s response is weak, the image of the alliance as a deterrent could be damaged.
The suggestion that these drones are being launched from civilian shipping boats adds another layer of complexity. It raises questions about how these vessels are being used, and whether they are actively involved in smuggling activities. Also, the fact that the drones aren’t launching from Russia and flying to Munich suggests they could be Russian but not launched from Russia.
The lack of clear answers and the absence of a definitive explanation from authorities are frustrating, making the situation even more complicated. However, the rumors of “FAA-approved drones” and passenger planes being mistaken for drones makes it difficult to know what to believe.