13 Drone Incidents Over Critical Infrastructure in Saxony

In Saxony, 13 security-related drone overflights of critical infrastructure and other facilities requiring special protection were recorded in the first half of the year. This is according to the Ministry of the Interior’s response to an inquiry from Rico Gebhardt, a member of The Left party who specializes in domestic policy.

Eight cases involved the transportation and traffic sector, four involved the energy sector, and one involved the government and administration sector. Leipzig and Northern Saxony were particularly affected, with four incidents each. For security reasons, the ministry did not provide further details on the facilities involved.

Pilots Mostly Unknown

There were no injuries or property damage. The drone pilots could be identified in only three cases. Based on the status of the investigation at the time, there were no indications of espionage, sabotage, terrorism, or a hybrid threat in any of the 13 incidents.

The figures as of July 8 do not yet include this week’s discovery of a drone carrying explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport. There, a drone carrying an explosive device was discovered on a runway early Wednesday morning. According to dpa information from security sources, the explosive device contained Semtex and PETN; the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has taken over the investigation.

Additional Cases of Hybrid Threats

Apart from the drone overflights, security authorities recorded eight additional suspected cases of sabotage or alleged espionage attempts in the first half of the year. Six of these were provisionally classified as hybrid threats. So far, no evidence of involvement by foreign government agencies or intelligence services has been found in any of the cases.

Following the incident at the airport, Gebhardt is calling for action. He hopes that a shift in thinking will take place in Leipzig. The Free State must step up its drone detection efforts to quickly identify and prevent incidents, especially in particularly vulnerable areas.

Last year, 21 security-related drone overflights were recorded in Saxony over critical infrastructure, military facilities, and defense contractors.