Counter-UAS for cities and critical infrastructure: Rheinmetall and Telekom plan joint protective shield

A defensive shield against drones and sabotage is what Rheinmetall and Telekom intend to develop together: a joint counter-UAS solution designed to protect cities and critical infrastructure in Germany. The two companies reached the agreement ahead of the upcoming Afcea security technology exhibition in Bonn.

In view of the current geopolitical situation, the protection of critical infrastructure (KRITIS) is gaining importance, as hybrid threats from sabotage or drone flights are steadily increasing. Against this background, the companies are pooling their expertise.

The aim is to create capabilities and technologies that equip KRITIS sites against a wide range of attack types – a so-called multi-threat protection approach. This includes cyber security technologies as well as physical protection, for example of properties and premises, also referred to as perimeter security. The partners intend to disclose details of the cooperation only at a later date.

The threat posed by drones is highly digital. That is why countering it requires the combination of sensors, effectors and secure communication networks. Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom are pooling precisely these capabilities.— Armin Papperger, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG

Sovereignty is not created through discussion alone, but through action. Telekom is taking on responsibility here: with our expertise in connectivity, cloud and data analytics, we are taking drone defence to a new level. Together with Rheinmetall, we are strengthening sovereignty and making our contribution to reducing concerns among the population.— Tim Höttges, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Telekom AG

Counter-UAS in practice: Telekom at the European Football Championship

Since 2017, Telekom has acted as a system partner to authorities and companies in drone security. The group has already secured critical infrastructure, properties and major events in Germany and abroad against drones. At the 2024 European Football Championship, for example, Telekom successfully and reliably detected illegal drone flights on behalf of the police.

Technically, detecting and countering drones is demanding, because different sensors are suitable depending on location and terrain. Since 2017, the group has therefore tested sensors from various international manufacturers in customer projects and field trials in Germany – at international airports as well as small regional airports such as Tannheim in Baden-Württemberg – and added them to its portfolio.

Telekom is continuously expanding its technical counter-drone capabilities and its sensor mix. In customer projects it now uses video, audio, radio frequency (RF) or Remote ID sensors as well as drone radar.

RF detection has proven itself in customer projects

Most drones on the market are flown by a pilot within visual range using a radio remote control. The remote control and the drone communicate on a radio frequency. RF sensors can determine the radio signals of both devices – and thus their position.

RF is one of the most widely used methods in drone detection: RF sensors currently make more than 90% of all drones in the lower airspace visible. Telekom's RF sensors operate passively and do not emit an active search signal. Because they do not interfere with other sensitive mobile communications equipment, they can be mounted on radio masts. Based on Telekom's experience with its customers, RF sensors mounted high on radio masts have proven particularly effective in densely built-up urban areas.

Rheinmetall: air defence and its own drones

In air defence, including short-range and very short-range air defence, Rheinmetall is one of the world's leading system houses. Effectors from the Düsseldorf-based technology group are currently in use in Ukraine as well as in the Near and Middle East.

Rheinmetall itself also specialises in autonomous systems in all domains – on land, on water and in the air, including drones and airborne reconnaissance systems. The group also develops, among other things, sensor and data processing technologies that are used in both the civilian and the security sectors.

For the Port of Hamburg, Rheinmetall, Hamburg Police and the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) concluded a strategic partnership in December 2025 to further develop concepts for drone detection and defence. The focus is on the conceptual development of forward-looking technologies intended to protect maritime, civilian and critical infrastructure.

From a technical point of view, the Port of Hamburg is a particularly difficult environment: various radio sources, maritime conditions and dense infrastructure place high demands on detection systems. As the alliance's leading industrial partner, Rheinmetall contributes its expertise to develop tailored solutions for complex threat scenarios; the cooperation is part of a supra-regional security strategy.

Control via mobile networks is increasing

Drones controlled via mobile networks pose new challenges. Although most pilots still fly their drones via radio frequency (RF) and remote control, more and more are using mobile networks for this purpose. Operational reality in Germany and abroad shows that both commercially available and home-built drones are increasingly being controlled via mobile networks. Telekom is investigating how to detect such drones together with Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Bundeswehr Hamburg (Uni-Bw), the university of the German armed forces.

The mobile network as a giant radar

In future, the mobile network itself is to become a sensor and giant radar: it registers changes and anomalies in data traffic that indicate drone control or communication, making drones visible to emergency and security forces, for example in temporary flight restriction zones. The basis is the high-performance 5G standalone network that Telekom has installed on the Uni-Bw campus and that is based on Ericsson technology.

Prohibited drone flights as a serious interference with air traffic

In Germany, controlling drones via mobile networks is still rare. By law, pilots must always keep their drone in sight (line of sight). Those who fly beyond visual range often pursue commercial purposes, such as inspecting damaged power lines or pipelines. Such flights must be applied for with the authorities; anyone who nevertheless controls a drone via mobile networks without approval commits a criminal offence.

In principle, drone flights in restricted areas are not a petty offence like speeding, but a dangerous interference with air traffic. Despite repeated police warnings, many people unwittingly fly beyond the pilot's horizon and thus risk unexpectedly severe penalties. On a large scale, Telekom systems operating on behalf of customers have already pinpointed prohibited drone flights, enabling emergency and security forces to locate the pilots quickly.