Germany Warns of ‘Daily Hybrid Warfare’ After Explosive Drone Found

Germany has warned that it is facing a growing threat of “daily hybrid warfare” involving espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks and covert operations by foreign powers.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt issued the warning on Sunday, days after an explosive-laden drone was discovered near a runway at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany.

“We’re not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare,” Dobrindt told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

He said foreign powers were attempting to destabilise Germany by creating fear and undermining the country politically and socially. However, he did not name any country as being responsible for the alleged activities.

The discovery of the drone has raised concerns among German officials, with some lawmakers suggesting that Russia could be behind the incident. Moscow has rejected the allegations, with the Russian embassy in Berlin describing the Leipzig incident as a “fabricated provocation.”

Germany to strengthen anti-drone capabilities

Germany is also planning to significantly increase its capacity to detect and counter drones.

According to Bild, the government intends to double the number of federal anti-drone specialists from 150 to 300 and expand the number of related bases from four to eight.

The German military also reported that two drones were spotted over a military site in Mechernich, in North Rhine-Westphalia, late Thursday.

Meanwhile, a drone exploded in Bulgaria on Saturday near the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline. Bulgarian authorities said there was no evidence suggesting the incident was deliberate.

The recent drone incidents across Europe have heightened concerns that Russia’s war in Ukraine could increasingly pose security challenges for neighbouring NATO countries.

NATO and European Union officials have previously accused Russia of involvement in drone-related incidents, but Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share