Germany to Build New Defence System Following Drone Attack in Leipzig
Germany is planning a comprehensive protection system to prevent attacks like the one that occurred at Leipzig Airport. This was announced by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Sunday (6 September).
On 4 August, several small drones targeted Leipzig-Halle Airport. One drone struck a parked aircraft, whilst another was suspected of hitting a cargo plane approaching the airport.
Germany’s intelligence services accused Russia of being behind the incident, but Moscow denied the allegation.
Dobrindt unveils plans for Germany’s anti-drone shield
Dobrindt told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag that Russian hybrid attacks have now become a reality that could occur any day. He added: “These attacks will increase, but we can defend ourselves and protect ourselves.”
The newspaper cited information from the German Interior Ministry showing that the government plans to expand the federal police’s mobile anti-drone defence units.
The measures to be taken include the use of vehicles and helicopters that can be rapidly deployed to protect the airspace above major cities such as Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin from drone attack threats.
According to Bild, the defensive shield will not only be capable of intercepting drones but also of neutralising bombs carried by drones and other explosive devices.
The newspaper also explained that changes to legislation would allow operators of critical infrastructure, including water, electricity and defence industry companies, to detect and counter sabotage attempts using drones.
Lavrov accuses Merz of wanting to go to war
On Sunday (6 September), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Germany’s accusations against Russia essentially amounted to “the beginning of a real war.”
He once again denied Russia’s involvement in the drone attack in Leipzig. Lavrov also criticised German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who plans to enhance the country’s military capabilities in response to hybrid threats.
“All of Merz’s statements about making Germany a leading military power in Europe again are being put into practice. Essentially, he is declaring war on us,” Lavrov told the Russian state television channel Vesti.
Lavrov also criticised Germany’s decision to close the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin and the Russian consulate in Bonn.
New technology to boost cyber security
Bild also reported that Germany will build a national cyber shield aimed at detecting and thwarting hacking attacks.
The step comes amid hundreds of cyber attacks that daily target government institutions, infrastructure and companies. Many of these attacks are alleged to originate from Russia, other countries and criminal groups.
The newspaper added that the government also wants to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI), biometric facial recognition technology and video surveillance systems, particularly at transport hubs. The aim is to identify suspected perpetrators before they can carry out an attack.
More than 1,000 drone sightings in 2025
The head of Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), Holger Münch, told Bild last December that more than 1,000 suspicious drone flight activities had been recorded in Germany over the previous year.
Most of these incidents targeted military facilities, airports, ports and defence companies. The cases were generally regarded as reconnaissance or intimidation activity rather than direct attacks.
Leipzig Airport had previously been the target of suspected sabotage. In July 2024, a package allegedly sent by Russia-linked parties and containing incendiary material caught fire at the DHL logistics centre at the airport.
The cargo logistics hub is also used by the Ukrainian military and NATO to transport weapons by air in support of Ukraine’s defence against the Russian invasion.