France has created a route for designated infrastructure operators to seek permission to neutralize drones near protected sites, while Germany and Austria weigh similar powers that could give private firms a role in protecting essential services.
An amendment to France’s Article L. 213-2 took effect Aug. 19, following a law dated Aug. 16. It covers designated operators of vital infrastructure and approved contractors at specified sites and nearby areas. The authority applies when a drone poses an imminent threat to a vital point or when authorized action is needed to prevent overflight of a qualifying prohibited zone that includes one.
A state representative must approve a protection plan for the site. Separate administrative permission must identify the devices, set the operating perimeter and name any service providers or subcontractors. Officials must also weigh risks to people and property, so the law does not give utilities a general right to bring down drones.
The French government tasked Systematic Paris-Region with evaluating counter-drone equipment at Brétigny-sur-Orge. The organization lists two evaluation campaigns for the second half of 2026.
Germany’s Interior Ministry said at a Sept. 7 briefing that officials were discussing a bill that could let private infrastructure operators detect drones and take active countermeasures. Austria’s Interior Ministry said Sept. 24 that it intended to allow critical-infrastructure businesses, including large energy companies, to respond to detected drones when a threat warrants it. Austria plans to amend its telecommunications law.
The European Commission’s February action plan says civilian and critical-infrastructure operators generally lack legal authority to neutralize drones. Some can identify threats but cannot respond effectively, the Commission said, citing aviation safety and radio-interference rules among the constraints. It proposes guidance for operators and a feasibility study on a common minimum regulatory framework; member states retain responsibility for incident response.
At a French National Assembly hearing, Gen. Fabien Mandon argued that operators should have counter-drone capabilities so the armed forces would not have to cover every site exposed to drone overflight. The debate also reflects the risks of delegating a response: France requires officials to consider possible harm to people and property.
Reuters reported that Kristian Ruby, secretary general of Eurelectric, warned hybrid attacks could lead to heating outages this winter. Reuters also reported that Asta Sihvonen-Punkka, chief executive of Finnish grid operator Fingrid, said Finnish authorities and armed forces should remain responsible for threats near critical infrastructure.
Austria’s drone-defense working group is due to deliver its final report by the end of 2026.
