BERLIN - Germany's Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt on Saturday announced a plan to establish a new national drone defense center to counter the hybrid threat from espionage.

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Dobrindt said an increase in drone deployments over Germany and neighboring nations posed a high threat.

Dobrindt's remarks came as northern Germany's Schleswig-Holstein state heightened its defense after multiple drones were sighted. The incidents follow similar drone sightings over neighboring Denmark.

German press outlets including Die Zeit have reported that the country is planning for new legislation that would empower the military to take action, including shooting down drones in certain cases.