Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom want to jointly develop a shield against drones and sabotage. The companies aim to protect cities and critical infrastructures in Germany together. The agreement was reached in the run-up to the upcoming AFCEA security technology trade fair in Bonn. Due to the current geopolitical situation, protection of critical infrastructures (KRITIS) is coming into focus. Hybrid threats from sabotage or drone flights are increasing steadily.
In this context, the companies are pooling their competencies. The partners’ goal is to develop capabilities and technologies against a variety of attack possibilities at KRITIS sites, a so-called Multi-Threat-Protection approach. It includes technologies for cybersecurity as well as physical protection of properties—for example, perimeter security. The details of the collaboration will be announced by the companies at a later date.
Telekom detected drone flights during the UEFA European Football Championship
Telekom has been a system partner to authorities and companies in drone security since 2017. The group has already secured critical infrastructures, properties or major events against drones both domestically and abroad. On police orders, for example during the UEFA European Football Championship 2024, Telekom reliably detected illegal drone flights.
Drone detection and countermeasures are technically complex. Depending on location and terrain, sensors are differently suitable. In Germany, for customer projects and field tests at international as well as small regional airports such as Tannheim in Baden-Württemberg since 2017, the company tested various sensors from international manufacturers and included them in its offering. It continues to develop its technical capabilities for drone defense and its mix of sensors: in customer projects today are used video, audio, radio frequency (RF) or Remote-ID sensors as well as drone radar.
RF Detection Proven in Customer Projects
A large part of drones on the market flies because a pilot operates the drone with a radio remote control within line of sight. Drones and remote control communicate on a radio frequency, English ‘Radio Frequency’ (RF). The radio signals from the remote and the drone and thus their position can be determined by RF sensors. RF is regarded as a very common method in drone detection. RF sensors currently make more than 90 percent of all drones in the lower airspace visible.
The RF sensors used by Telekom operate passively. They do not emit an active search signal. Therefore, they can be installed on cell towers, because they do not disturb other sensitive mobile communications technology when transmitting. RF sensors mounted high on cell towers have proven effective, according to Telekom’s customer experiences, especially in urban areas with dense development.
Specialist in Drone Defense and Drone Production
Rheinmetall is one of the world’s leading system houses in air defense — including close-range and near-range. The effector systems of the Düsseldorf-based technology group are currently deployed in Ukraine as well as in the Near and Middle East. In addition, Rheinmetall itself is a specialist in autonomous systems across all domains, including land, sea, and air. This includes, among other things, drones and airborne reconnaissance systems.
Moreover, the group develops sensor and data processing technologies that are used in both civilian and security-relevant areas. In December 2025, Rheinmetall, the Hamburg Police, and the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) agreed on a strategic partnership to further develop drone detection and defense concepts at the Port of Hamburg. The focus is on the conceptual development of forward-looking technologies to protect maritime, civilian, and critical infrastructure.
From a technical perspective, the Port of Hamburg is considered a particularly challenging environment: the different radio sources, maritime conditions, and dense infrastructure place high demands on detection systems. As a leading industrial partner, Rheinmetall brings its expertise to this alliance to develop tailor-made solutions for complex threat scenarios, with the cooperation forming part of a regional security strategy.
More and more drones fly over mobile networks
A new challenge is drones that are controlled via mobile networks. While the majority of pilots control drones through a radio frequency (Radio Frequency/RF) and a remote control, the number of pilots using mobile networks to control drones is increasing. The real-world deployments at home and abroad show that both commercially available and self-built drones are being controlled more and more over mobile networks. How these drones can be detected is being researched by Telekom together with the Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Bundeswehr Hamburg (Uni-Bw).
Here, the mobile network will itself become a sensor and a giant radar by detecting changes and anomalies in data traffic that indicate the control or communication of drones, thereby making drones visible, for instance in temporary flight-restriction zones for emergency services. The basis for this is the 5G Standalone high-performance network installed by Telekom on the Uni-Bw campus, based on Ericsson technology.
Drone Violations Are Serious Interventions in Air Traffic
Controlling drones by mobile network is currently not widespread in Germany. By law, pilots must always keep the drone in sight (line of sight). Those who control beyond sight often have commercial intents, for example to fly over power lines or pipelines when damaged. These pilots must apply for their flight with the authorities. Those who do not apply but still control via mobile networks commit a criminal offense.
Drone flights in restricted areas are not, in principle, a mere misdemeanor like speeding, but a dangerous interference with air traffic. The police warn repeatedly, and yet many pilots fly without caution beyond the pilot’s horizon and risk unexpectedly harsh penalties. Telekom systems, on behalf of customers, have already located illegal drone flights with pinpoint accuracy on a large scale. Emergency services have been able to locate pilots quickly.
