loaded with explosives was discovered at Leipzig airport in
eastern GermanyImage: Michael Bihlmayer/Bihlmayerfotografie/IMAGO
Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
Welcome to DW’s coverage of what Germany is talking about on Tuesday, 18 August, 2026.
- New drone research center to open in Saxony-Anhalt
- Court to rule on Ukrainians charged with attacking infrastucture on behalf of Russia
- Historic aquarium to reopen in Berlin
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Skip next section Germany opens new drone research center08/18/2026August 18, 2026
Germany opens new drone research center
A new drone research center is set to open in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt on Tuesday, two weeks after an incident involving a drone at an airport in nearby Leipzig.
The new facility at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cochstedt, just south of the city of Magdeburg, will be officially opened by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU), Research and Technology Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) and Saxony-Anhalt state premier Sven Schulze (CDU).
The center will conduct research into new drone security technologies and test them under realistic conditions, combining scientific theory with the practical demands of Germany’s security services.
“The arms race in drone technology calls for specific research facilities in order to keep up,” Dobrindt said following the recent incident in Leipzig, when an explosive-laden drone was discovered close to several Ukrainian cargo planes. State prosecutors spoke of a “serious attack on Germany’s transport and logistics infrastructure” and are continuing their investigations.
An interior ministry spokeswoman said on Monday that “a lot of research, development and observation” is required in order to determine what exactly Germany needs to improve its anti-drone capabilities, and said that the new Cochstedt facility would be a “key component” in this endeavor.
The German government is particularly concerned about developments in AI-controlled drones which can continue towards their targets even when jammers interrupt their connections. Another key aspect involves the accurate identification of different types of drones in order to implement the most effective form of defense.
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https://p.dw.com/p/5IzPqSkip next section Welcome to our coverage08/18/2026August 18, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Matt Ford | Louis Oelofse Editor
Guten Tag! Welcome to DW’s coverage of what Germany is talking about on Tuesday, 18 August, 2026.
A new drone research center is set to be officially opened not far from Leipzig airport, where an explosive-laden drone was recently discovered close to Ukrainian cargo planes.
Meanwhile, a court is set to deliver its verdict in the trial of three Ukrainians accused of plotting attacks on German freight transport on behalf of Russia.
And in Berlin, an historic aquarium is set to reopen.
Catch up on yesterday’s Germamy news here.
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