The 62nd edition of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) once again demonstrated the security policy and operational significance of the meeting for Germany and its partners. Between February 13 and 15, 2026, global crisis dynamics, high-level diplomacy, and a multifaceted series of events converged in the Bavarian capital, creating a situation that demanded the utmost professionalism from the security authorities. After the main events had concluded, Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann gave an initial positive assessment: the operational concept had “proved itself impressively.”
Complexity as the new normal
International summits have been subject to heightened security measures for years. Hybrid threats, the high symbolic significance of the event, the potential for digital mobilization, and the latent danger of disruptive actions by a wide variety of actors characterize the risk assessment. For the security forces in Munich, this meant simultaneously providing personal protection, property protection, airspace security, traffic management, and ensuring freedom of assembly.
Around 5,000 police officers from Bavaria, other federal states, and the federal government were deployed. For the first time, they were also supported by contingents from five European countries – a sign of growing interoperability in security policy. This internationalization is more than just symbolic: it stands for shared situational awareness, coordinated command structures, and well-rehearsed procedures in an environment where response times and communication capabilities are crucial.
Protection of high-ranking delegations
With around 46 heads of state and government and more than 100 foreign and defense ministers, MSC 2026 once again achieved an extraordinary density of protected persons. Each individual delegation has its own security requirements, protocols, and movement patterns. The Bavarian concept focused on close coordination between state and federal authorities, clearly defined responsibilities, and flexible space and time axes for transport and event locations.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, despite this concentration, the impact on the Munich population was kept to a minimum. Traffic measures were adapted to the situation, closures were limited in time, and diversions were communicated in advance. In this way, the authorities pursued an approach that took both security and public acceptance into account.
Gatherings on an extraordinary scale
Parallel to the conference program, numerous rallies took place in the city. A total of 17 gatherings with a combined total of around 260,000 participants were registered. At Theresienwiese alone, around 250,000 people gathered at the peak – one of the largest demonstrations in Munich in recent years.
From a police perspective, the challenge lay less in individual disturbances than in the sheer scale of the event, the need to separate different camps, and the safe management of visitor flows. Those responsible consider the fact that the events were largely peaceful to be proof of a differentiated operational strategy that combined communication measures, a visible presence, and consistent intervention in the event of criminal offenses.
Drone defense as an integral part
Once again, special attention was paid to protecting the airspace. The systems used in the city center and around the airport to detect and defend against unmanned aerial vehicles were operated jointly by the federal and state governments.
According to initial assessments, these capabilities have proven their worth. They are now an integral part of modern large-scale operations and illustrate how technological developments are expanding the traditional dimensions of hazard prevention.
European support as a novelty
The participation of police forces from Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, and Czechia marked a new level of cooperation.
In addition to providing operational relief, this cooperation also had political significance: security is increasingly understood as a joint task in the European context. Joint operations promote standardization, trust, and practical experience—the foundations for future support services at international events.
Airport as a second security-relevant axis
In addition to Munich’s city center, international air traffic was another focus. The responsible police headquarters was responsible for the arrival and departure of numerous government aircraft, delegations, and accompanying personnel. Despite tight time slots and high frequency, the processes ran smoothly according to official reports – a result of precise planning and coordinated interfaces between the police, airport operators, and federal authorities.
Political assessment and outlook
The state government’s positive interim assessment underscores that long-term investments in training, technology, and cross-border cooperation are paying off. At the same time, the MSC makes it clear that requirements continue to increase. Threat scenarios are developing dynamically, forms of protest are changing, and new technologies are opening up both opportunities and risks.
For upcoming major events, it will therefore be crucial to systematically evaluate the experience gained, deepen international partnerships, and continue the dialogue with the urban community. Munich thus remains a laboratory for modern security architecture – under the eyes of the global public and caught between the conflicting priorities of freedom and protection.
