Saxony and Brandenburg Join Forces to Combat the Threat of Drones

In light of growing security threats posed by drones and sabotage, the states of Brandenburg and Saxony plan to work more closely together in the future. Interior Ministers Jan Redmann and Armin Schuster (both CDU) signed a joint security declaration. 

In doing so, the two immediate neighbors are also responding to the tight budget situation, as they explained in Potsdam. Some new technology will be procured jointly. In addition to the area of hybrid threats, the cooperation also covers the fight against cross-border crime and forest fire protection. 

Changing Security Situation

“The drone attack on the airport in Leipzig was one that made it clear to all of us just how much the security situation has changed,” said Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Redmann. It is to be assumed that the threat posed by drones, among other things, is becoming increasingly concrete. They are used, among other things, by state actors to disrupt or spy on critical infrastructure.

His Saxon counterpart, Schuster, said in Potsdam: “I believe we have a good chance—through cooperation and very good neighborly relations—first, to better manage the situation together, and second, to free up resources even in a tight budgetary situation, provided we don’t all go it alone (...).” 

In early August, a drone rigged with explosives was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport next to Ukrainian cargo planes. The German government holds Russia responsible for the attempted attack. Moscow denies this.