Germany’s National Security Council held a telephone meeting on 7 August 2026, chaired by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, after a drone fitted with explosives was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport in the night of 4-5 August. The case has been treated as a serious security incident, with the federal government linking it to wider concerns over hybrid threats and drone defence at critical infrastructure sites.
Merz remained in continuous contact with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and other cabinet members as the investigation developed. The Bundesanwaltschaft has taken over the case because of its special significance, with suspected offences including an attempted explosive attack and dangerous interference with air traffic.
The drone was found in the cargo area near Ukrainian freight aircraft, making the incident politically sensitive as well as operationally relevant for airport security. Government messaging has stressed that there is currently no concrete threat to the public, but officials view the episode as a warning sign for the protection of airports and other critical infrastructure. The internal agenda and any decisions taken by the council were not disclosed.