Germany is planning to step up protection against Russian sabotage and other hybrid attacks after a failed attempt to use an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport. This is reported by Bild.
Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is preparing a package of measures that предусматривает stronger protection against drones, sabotage at critical infrastructure sites and cyberattacks. Plans also include improving the detection of spies and people who may be suspected of preparing terrorist attacks.
“Russia’s hybrid attacks using explosive drones on airports, agents in our cities, cyberattacks on our networks and sabotage of our infrastructure are a daily reality. These attacks will intensify, but we can push back and protect ourselves,” Dobrindt said.
According to Bild, Germany plans to expand a mobile unit of the federal police that will specialise in countering drones.
The new units will be able to move quickly between regions. They will have helicopters and specialised vehicles and will be based in nine strategically important cities: Frankfurt am Main, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Hanover and Cologne.
Their task will be to protect the airspace over key transport hubs, airports, railway stations and the government quarter in Berlin. This is not only about detecting and intercepting drones, but also about neutralising explosive-laden unmanned aircraft.
Separately, there are plans to expand the powers of companies that manage critical infrastructure. Water utilities, energy companies and defence industry enterprises could be granted legal authority not only to detect drones but also to actively counter them. This is intended to enable a faster response to attacks without waiting for state forces to arrive.
The plan also предусматривает broader use of artificial intelligence, biometric facial recognition and CCTV systems, including at railway stations. AI is expected to help automatically detect weapons and suspicious behaviour, as well as identify people suspected of preparing attacks or engaging in espionage.
Another strand is protection against cyberattacks. Germany plans to create a national Cyberdome — an extensive network of digital sensors designed to detect and block attempted hacking attacks.
What is known about the incident in Leipzig?
- The first drone was spotted on 4 August near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport. According to investigators, the drone was fitted with explosives and may have been intended to attack the aircraft.
- Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said that the Ukrainian company’s aircraft were not damaged and no one was injured.
- Another drone, according to a preliminary version, may have collided with a DHL cargo aircraft. Because the airport was closed, the plane was forced to go around.
- On 14 August, German investigators found a third drone, which was likely linked to the failed attempt to attack Leipzig/Halle Airport. Traces of a military explosive were found nearby.
- On 1 September, Germany said Russia was directly involved in the hybrid attack.