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Interior Minister Seeks Greater Security for Leipzig Airport

Interior Minister Seeks Greater Security for Leipzig Airport
Following the discovery of a drone, Interior Minister Armin Schuster is calling for stronger protection of critical infrastructure. (File photo) / Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
From: DieSachsen News
Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster warns that the threat to critical infrastructure is increasing. What role could the Federal Police and the Bundeswehr play in protecting airports in the future?

Following the discovery of a drone carrying an explosive device at Leipzig/Halle Airport, Saxony’s Interior Minister Armin Schuster is calling for stronger security measures at the airport and other critical infrastructure. The incident once again highlights that the airport is of considerable strategic importance for Germany’s defense capabilities, the CDU politician said on the “Table.Today” podcast by “Table.Briefings.” 

For this reason, he said, it must be examined whether the federal government should establish “a specially protected area” there, following the example of the airports in Frankfurt am Main or Cologne/Bonn. Schuster did not elaborate on how such an area could be specifically designed in Leipzig.

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Protecting Critical Infrastructure as a “Mega-Task”

The minister also sees a need for action regarding other important facilities. Germany is no longer facing an abstract threat but is in a high-risk situation. Schuster cited, among other things, the microelectronics cluster in Dresden as well as the electricity and water supply systems. Protecting all these facilities is a “mega-task” in the current situation.

Schuster also believes that the nationwide drone defense system must be restructured. Although the new joint defense structures of the federal and state governments proved to be rapidly deployable during the incident in Leipzig, the Federal Police would also “reach the limits of its current capacities” when it comes to providing comprehensive protection for major airports and critical infrastructure.

Schuster Brings the Bundeswehr into the Picture

The National Security Council must therefore clarify, among other things, “whether the Bundeswehr needs to be granted greater authority to deploy domestically.” As further options, Schuster mentioned strengthening the Federal Police with a “paramilitary component” for robust operations or providing additional federal funding to state police forces to establish drone defense systems that are as uniform as possible.

These systems would also have to provide protection against “highly professional attackers.” “To put it plainly, that includes state-sponsored attackers as well.”

Schuster was cautious in his comments regarding the background of the drone discovery. He noted that there are now two concrete lines of investigation. “We’re not groping in the dark,” the minister said. Given the effort involved, he expressed concern “that someone here is taking it a step further and that this isn’t just about causing uncertainty, but really about a physical attack.”

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