Germany boosts police anti-drone unit after airport incident

Germany has decided to double the size of its federal police anti-drone unit and expand its operational bases following an incident involving an explosives-laden drone near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig-Halle Airport. The Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, labeled the incident a "hybrid attack scenario" potentially involving a foreign power.

The unit's personnel will increase from an unspecified number to 300, and the number of operational bases will rise from four to eight. Additionally, a new drone technology research centre will be formally opened by Dobrindt at the German Aerospace Centre. The Leipzig airport, located in eastern Germany, is a crucial transportation hub for military goods by the German armed forces and NATO allies, as well as a base for Ukraine's Antonov Airlines.

Authorities suspect Russia of orchestrating many of the drone incidents as part of a campaign of sabotage, espionage, and disinformation, though Russia has denied involvement. DNA traces found on the Leipzig drone were traced back to Lithuania, though no further details were provided.