Chancellor Friedrich Merz: Germany is facing "real threats" after the discovery of the third drone near the airport in Leipzig.

The Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, warned on Tuesday that the country is facing "real threats" following the discovery of drones equipped with explosives near the Leipzig airport, an important logistics base for NATO.

Counter-terrorism authorities began an investigation on August 5, after a drone with a defective detonator was found by an airport employee. Another drone was discovered on August 14. Merz did not indicate the culprits but mentioned that the government has circumstantial evidence regarding the identity of the perpetrators.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt suggested that the threat could come from a state actor. In the context of the deteriorating security of Germany, Merz's government intends to provide more freedom to intelligence services to counter threats, including through offensive cyber operations.