Security · Counter-UAS · Resilience · Infrastructure · Law

Drones are no longer merely tools—they can also pose a threat. This panel brings together three key security perspectives: the detection, identification, and defense against unauthorized drones; the concrete protection of critical infrastructure in the energy, rail, and water sectors; and the resilience of government and economic structures in dealing with drone threats. Experts will examine the legal framework for counter-UAS operations, cooperation with the BSI, and the question of where inspection ends and threat defense begins.

Topics: Counter-UAS· Detection · Defense · Law · Power Grid · Rail · BSI · Water · Resilience

Thomas Röwekamp, Member of the German Bundestag

Member of the German Bundestag & Chair of the Defense Committee

Thomas Röwekamp, Member of the German Bundestag

Member of the German Bundestag & Chair of the Defense Committee

Thomas Röwekamp was born on September 18, 1966, in Bremerhaven. He is married, has three children, and is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Thomas Röwekamp has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2021. Since 2025, he has served as chair of the Defense Committee and as an alternate member of the Committee on Research, Technology, Space, and Technology Assessment. From 2022 to 2025, he served as the CDU/CSU parliamentary group’s representative on the First Afghanistan Inquiry Committee. From 2007 to 2021, he served as chairman of the CDU parliamentary group in the Bremen City Parliament and was a member of the Bremen City Parliament from 1991 to 2003 and from 2007 to 2021. From 2008 to 2011, he served as state chairman of the CDU in Bremen. From 2003 to 2007, Thomas Röwekamp served as Senator for the Interior and Sports, and from 2005 to 2007 he was also Mayor of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. From 1987 to 1991, he was a member of the Bremerhaven City Council. His political career began in 1983 when he joined the CDU and became chairman of the Junge Union Bremerhaven.

Thomas Röwekamp has been practicing as an independent attorney since 1994 and as a notary since 2014. From 1995 to 1997, he completed his legal clerkship in Oldenburg and Düsseldorf. Between 1990 and 1994, he studied law at the University of Bremen. From October 1989 to May 1990, he worked as a bank clerk. He completed his basic military service from 1988 to 1989. After graduating from high school, he completed an apprenticeship as a bank clerk at Deutsche Bank AG in Bremerhaven from 1986 to 1988.

Thomas Röwekamp, Member of the German Bundestag

Member of the German Bundestag & Chair of the Defense Committee

Thomas Röwekamp, Member of the German Bundestag

Member of the German Bundestag & Chair of the Defense Committee

H18 Defense & Intelligence Products

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Thomas Szczepanski

Lieutenant Commander

Naval Air Wing 3 "Graf Zeppelin" Base Group

Thomas Szczepanski

Lieutenant Commander

Naval Air Wing 3 "Graf Zeppelin" Base Group

Academic degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Zip code, city/state: 21763 Neuenkirchen, Lower Saxony

Date of birth: May 6, 1981

Place of birth: Puławy, Poland

Marital status: divorced

Number of children: 2 (boy born in March 2013, girl born in April 2016)

Education: High school diploma

Unit / Department: Base Group / Naval Air Wing 3 “Graf Zeppelin”

Military career:

02.07.2001

Start of service, 5th Air Force Training Regiment 3, Bayreuth

2001–2002

Officer Training, 1st / OSLw, Fürstenfeldbruck

2002–2005

Degree in Aerospace Engineering, University of Applied Sciences, Munich

11.10.2005

Transfer to UTB Marine

2006

Training courses, Navy Officer (Grade A)

2006–2007

Initial Flight Training, 9th / OSLw, Fürstenfeldbruck

2007–2009

Flight Training, 4th / LTG62, Lufthansa Flight Training
Bremen

2009

P-3C Orion Type Rating Training, VP-30, Jacksonville, FL

2010

P-3C Orion Type Conversion Training, Training Staff / MFG3 “GZ”, Nordholz

2011–2015

Co-pilot of a P-3C Orion, 2nd Squadron / MFG-3 “GZ”, Nordholz

2015

Patrol Plane Commander P-3C Orion, 2nd / MFG3 “GZ”, Nordholz

2015–2016

S3 Officer, Wing Staff / MFG3 “GZ”, Nordholz

2016–2018

Participants in LGAN 2016. FüAkBw, Hamburg

2018–2021

S3 Staff Officer, Commander of Air Operations and Deputy Commander of the Air Group / MFG3 “GZ”, Nordholz

2021–2023

Advisor, Strategic Control Division, Maritime and Coastal Affairs, Federal Ministry of Defense, Planning Directorate I 3, Bonn

since 2023

Commander, StPktGrp / MFG3 “GZ”, Nordholz

Promotions:

01.07.2004

Second Lieutenant

01.01.2007

Lieutenant (Navy)

21.05.2012

Lieutenant Commander

28.07.2016

Lieutenant Commander

24.05.2019

Lieutenant Commander

Foreign assignments (year)/positions:

2011; P-3C Pilot; 1st P-3C Squadron, Djibouti, Operation ATALANTA

2012; P-3C Pilot; 1st P-3C Squadron, Djibouti, Operation ATALANTA

2015; S3 & LtrFlgBetr EinsGrp1P-3C

2019; Commander 29th German Task Force, EUNAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA

2020–2021; Commander, 3rd German Task Force, EUNAVFOR Med Operation IRINI

Hobbies:

Shooting sports, reading, astrophotography, electronics/model building, motorcycling

Thomas Szczepanski

Lieutenant Commander

Naval Air Wing 3 "Graf Zeppelin" Base Group

Thomas Szczepanski

Lieutenant Commander

Naval Air Wing 3 "Graf Zeppelin" Base Group

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