Is this a clear commitment to the UAS industry?

Little future, much industrial funding. Little sustainability, many vague announcements. This summarizes the criticism voiced from various directions regarding the aviation strategy presented by the German federal government. Regarding the future „drone policy“, the document presented at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin does contain significant impulses. However, much remains uncertain.

In 2014, the world was still very different in many respects from what it is today. The increasingly severe challenges of climate change, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the „turning point“ resulting from the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine represent only some of the deep divides that have emerged over the past 12 years. These 12 years lie between the previous and the recently presented updated aviation strategy of the German federal government.

Integrating civil and military aviation

One consequence of the changed global situation is that industrial and transport policy issues, as well as civil and military aviation, are, for the first time, being addressed with a comprehensively conceived joint strategy. Explicitly, it should also concern the „economic scaling of unmanned aviation as an increasingly important new segment of aviation“. Elsewhere, the UAS industry is ascribed an increasingly strategic significance „in the context of modern armed forces and networked operations management“. Furthermore, uncrewed aerial systems could serve as „catalysts in achieving comprehensive digitalization of the entire airspace and air traffic management“.

However, those who hoped for a clear commitment to unmanned aviation, something more than a vague declaration of intent, are likely to be disappointed by these formulations. Rather, the strategy reads more like an attempt to maintain the status quo and support the traditional aviation industry through tough times. Given the economic significance for Germany, this is not surprising. Yet, in the long run, it would be wise to also dare to venture something new. A clear commitment to Germany as a drone hub that goes beyond headlines and sparks a catalyst effect is hardly present in the paper.

During the International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin, the federal government’s aviation strategy was explained in a panel discussion

One looks in vain for measurable target specifications and clearly defined action packages regarding future UAS policy. Essentially, much of the content on civil unmanned aviation consists of lists of known initiatives, such as the Advanced Air Mobility strategy and the long-standing U-Space law. The only real specifics concern the announced introduction of an experimental clause in air law to allow for easier testing of innovative technologies and their market readiness.

Simplifications are to be explored

Moreover, the federal government, in its 2026 aviation strategy, commits to enabling the „full and fair integration of uncrewed aviation into a shared airspace“, including in controlled airspace. Additionally, the industry is likely to take note of the announcement to explore simplifications for drone operations in specific operational categories when entering certain geographic areas.

Even though the European UAS industry would certainly have hoped for more support from Germany, and competitors from the US, China, or Israel likely do not feel nervous looking towards Germany and Europe based on this concept in terms of drone policy, the German aviation strategy at least demonstrates that the federal government has some of the crucial points for shaping unmanned aviation in sight. However, there is still a lack of the final conviction to derive consistent actions from this knowledge and set political priorities.

Main image: Messe Berlin GmbH