Germany is giving its armed forces the ability to shoot down unidentified drones suspected of spying on military bases, industrial facilities and other critical infrastructure, according to people familiar with the matter.

Germany's cabinet is set to approve plans on Wednesday authorising the armed forces to shoot down illegal drones following repeated reports of illegal flights over critical infrastructure, a draft amendment seen by Reuters showed.

Up to 10 drones of unknown origin have been spotted above a military airfield in southern Germany, Bavarian authorities said on Monday. Investigators say they have not ruled out espionage as a possible cause for the sighting,

Draft legislation has been prepared that will allow the German military to shoot down suspicious aerial drones following reports of drone sightings over military installations, dpa learned on Tuesday.