27/02/2026 – 11:58 GMT+1
German firm Skylance unveiled its low-cost “DroneHammer” anti-drone missile as Berlin moves to expand Bundeswehr powers under a reformed Aviation Security Act.
A German company has developed a laser-guided defence missile designed to disable drones at a fraction of the cost of conventional systems, as European authorities grapple with increased aerial threats to airports and critical infrastructure.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Skylance, based in Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia, presented the “DroneHammer” system at the Enforce Tac trade fair in Nuremberg, where defence industry representatives gathered for three days.
The projectile costs around €2,500 per unit, weighs less than 1 kilogram and has a maximum range of 2,000 metres. The company claims a 99% success rate.
Unlike conventional systems, the missile relies on software algorithms and image processing techniques rather than traditional seeker heads to detect and track targets.
How the system works
The missile uses a two-stage deployment process. A camera initially aligns the projectile with the target, which it then tracks autonomously.
When the range changes, an external laser pointer activates. The missile’s camera system detects the laser point and completes the attack by aligning with the marked position.
A shrapnel mechanism built into the warhead explodes several metres from the target, disabling the drone with a concentrated shrapnel cloud whilst minimising collateral damage risk.
The system does not require conventional explosives. Multiple shots can be fired, though interference between missiles cannot be ruled out. The system can fire in different directions almost simultaneously.
Skylance developed the missile in partnership with Mosolf Special Vehicles and Stoof International, an armed vehicles specialist.
Aviation Security Act reform under way
In the past year, Germany has repeatedly been the target of drone overflights in the immediate vicinity of airports and critical infrastructure.
In December 2025, Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt put a new drone defence unit of the Federal Police into service. They are to be trained as special forces and will be able to make quick decisions in operational situations.
“We are relying on a clear principle against drone threats: detect, fend off, intercept,” said Dobrindt at the time.
The German government wants to respond to this changed threat situation by amending the Aviation Security Act and expanding the state’s defence capabilities.
According to the federal government’s draft bill, the armed forces of the Bundeswehr are to be authorised to “shoot down drones if necessary in support of the federal states and state police forces if this is the only way to avert a particularly serious accident”.
Currently, the police authorities are still responsible for averting danger in Germany. However, in future, the federal states will be able to request support from the German Armed Forces.
The Ministry of Defence alone will be able to decide on the deployment, instead of in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior, as has been the case up to now.
The Bundeswehr and state police forces are said to have already expressed interest in the Skylance drone defence system.
The Bundestag is finalising its deliberations on the matter this week, and the reform is expected to be finalised on Friday.
