Rheinmetall chief sounds alarm over rising drone threat to Germany

Germany needs to improve its ability to quickly detect and, if necessary, intercept drone attacks, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger said amid growing concerns over threats to the country’s critical infrastructure, ntv reports.

“We absolutely have to do something to detect these drone attacks very quickly and, if necessary, be able to shoot down the drones,” Papperger said.

Papperger said Germany currently lacks adequate protection against such threats, as counter-drone capabilities do not yet cover all potentially vulnerable sites.

“In addition to airports, there are many other facilities that are critically important to our infrastructure,” he said.

The Rheinmetall chief also warned that drone-related incidents are likely to become more frequent.

“Such drone incidents will occur more frequently. This is not the first time it has happened,” Papperger said.

His comments come amid an investigation into a recent incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where an explosives-laden drone was discovered on the airport premises.

Germany’s Federal Prosecutor General has taken over the investigation. According to prosecutors, there are sufficient factual grounds to believe that an attempt was made to cause an explosion at Leipzig/Halle Airport on the evening of August 4 using a drone.

“Professional explosives and a detonator had been installed on the drone for this purpose,” the Federal Prosecutor General’s Office said.

Authorities described the incident as a serious attack on Germany’s transport and logistics infrastructure, warning that the nature of the suspected crime could pose a threat to Germany’s external and internal security.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. The case has also intensified debate over the growing risks posed by unmanned aerial vehicles to critical infrastructure, particularly in the civil aviation and transport sectors.

By Vafa Guliyeva