Baltic SeaGerman Navy exercises with drones in the Fehmarnbelt

Christian Tiedt

 · 08.10.2025

Baltic Sea: German Navy exercises with drones in the FehmarnbeltPhoto: Bundeswehr/Jana Neumann
Flying drone tested but not introduced by the German Navy. It is not known which types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) will be used in Thursday's exercise.
Securing the Baltic Sea: the German Navy is honing its maritime surveillance capabilities. Exercises with small drones have been announced for Thursday in the Fehmarnbelt.

Recently, incidents involving unidentified drones over sensitive or military infrastructure have become more frequent. For this reason, the German air defence frigate "Hamburg" was even on site in the Danish capital last weekend during the EU summit in Copenhagen - as a deterrent and protection against unmanned flying objects.

Flying drones for more safety

The frequency of disruptive actions, most of which are attributed to Russia, is increasing, particularly in the Baltic Sea. These include the destruction of submarine cables and the use of the shadow fleet, as well as the unauthorised intrusion of fighter aircraft and drones into the airspace of NATO countries.

For this reason, the military alliance has significantly increased its surveillance activities this year. Manoeuvres, as most recently Northern Coast 2025serve to increase effectiveness. With this in mind, the German Navy has now announced a corresponding exercise in the Fehmarn Belt to secure and monitor the sea routes.

Training area north-east of Puttgarden

On Thursday 9 October, practice flights with small drones will be carried out between Fehmarn and the Danish island of Lolland. Sailors and pleasure boaters should not be alarmed by the aircraft. Flying over watercraft is not permitted according to the corresponding notice to mariners of the Baltic Sea Waterways and Shipping Authority is not planned anyway.

The exercise period runs from 8 am to 5 pm. The exercise area extends on the German side of the Fehmarnbelt north-east of Puttgarden and east of the ferry line to Rødbyhavn. It has not been announced what types of drones will be involved and whether floating naval units will also be involved.

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Christian Tiedt

Christian Tiedt

Editor Travel

Christian Tiedt was born in Hamburg in 1975, but grew up in the northern suburbs of the city - except for numerous visits to the harbor, North Sea and Baltic Sea, but without direct access to water sports for a long time. His first adventures then took place on dry land: With the classics from Chichester, Slocum and Co. After completing his vocational training, his studies finally gave him the opportunity (in terms of time) to get active on the water - and to obtain the relevant licenses. First with cruising and then, when he joined BOOTE in 2004, with motorboats of all kinds. In the meantime, Christian has been able to get to know almost all of Europe (and some more distant destinations) on his own keel and prefers to share his adventures and experiences as head of the travel department for YACHT and BOOTE in cruise reports.

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