Germany Warns of Daily Hybrid Warfare After Explosive Drone Found at Leipzig Airport
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 9
Germany Warns of Daily Hybrid Warfare After Explosive Drone Found at Leipzig Airport
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 9
Summary
Alexander Dobrindt said Germany is under daily hybrid warfare from abroad after an explosive-laden drone was found Tuesday at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
The interior minister said foreign powers are using espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks and covert operations to spread fear and destabilize Germany politically and socially, though he named no country.
Bild reported Berlin plans to double federal anti-drone specialists to 300 from 150 and expand related bases to eight from four as it strengthens defenses.
Two drones were also spotted Thursday over a military site in Mechernich, while a separate drone exploded Saturday near Bulgaria's Trans-Balkan gas pipeline without evidence of intentional sabotage.
The incidents have sharpened concern that Russia's war in Ukraine is spilling toward NATO states; some German lawmakers blamed Moscow, which called the Leipzig case a fabricated provocation.
Was the Leipzig airport drone incident an isolated breach, or evidence that foreign hybrid attacks on Germany’s critical infrastructure are becoming more coordinated?
Why are drones appearing near German airports and military sites, and what does that reveal about the next phase of hybrid warfare in Europe?