Drones and Hybrid Attacks: Saxony Wants to Prepare for Crises

The suspected bomb attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport this summer dramatically highlighted the danger of hybrid attacks in Saxony. Now, the Free State plans to significantly strengthen its security measures. Plans include investments in drone defense, additional emergency power systems, and up to 600 emergency shelters for the public in the event of a crisis. Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) announced this during a debate in the state parliament on a motion by the SPD caucus regarding the protection of critical infrastructure.

The federal government has raised the threat level from “abstract” to “high” regarding sabotage, espionage, disinformation, and economic and military pressure, Schuster said. These new forms of attack pose major challenges for the police, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), and other civilian emergency response agencies, including those in Saxony. “I readily admit that we haven’t yet mastered this 100 percent,” Schuster said. He emphasized that it is crucial to improve coordination among security agencies, disaster management, and other departments. In the event of a crisis, the state must be able to respond quickly and in a coordinated manner.

In early August, a drone rigged with explosives was discovered at the airport next to Ukrainian cargo planes. The federal government blamed Russia for the attempted attack; Moscow rejected the allegations.

New Technology for Drone Defense

There is a particular need for action when it comes to defending against unmanned aerial vehicles, Schuster said. The attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport also marked a “civilian turning point,” Schuster said. It was only then that it became clear that Germany was also facing military attacks and entirely new technologies. The police have not been sufficiently prepared for such threats to date.

The Saxony police began drone defense operations in 2023. However, the technology purchased at that time is now three years old and needs to be replaced. The measures are to be financed with state and federal funds as well as European grants.

What the SPD is calling for in its motion

In its motion, the SPD parliamentary group called for systematically strengthening the Free State’s resilience to crises. Emergency power and fuel supplies must be guaranteed even during prolonged outages lasting several days, said Albrecht Pallas, spokesperson on domestic policy.

The Left Party also sees a need for action. The protection of critical infrastructure must not stop at political statements, said Representative Rico Gebhardt. Concrete measures and financial foundations are necessary. With an eye toward the negotiations on the next two-year budget, room for maneuver must be created in a timely manner.