France Warns of Hybrid Attacks After Leipzig Drone Incident

France's domestic intelligence agency is bracing for the possibility of direct attacks on key companies and infrastructure, following the discovery of an explosives-laden drone near Leipzig/Halle airport earlier this month. The device was found close to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft used for military supplies at the German logistics hub, which also serves NATO operations.

Celine Berthon, director of the DGSI counter-intelligence agency, told a business forum that the Leipzig incident should be treated as a warning. "The discovery in Leipzig of an explosive drone that was by all appearances aimed at an aircraft supporting the Ukrainian army is a signal that we must consider the possibility of more direct, more violent actions on our territory," she said.

Berthon said the immediate concern was for France's defence and technology industries, but that all strategic sectors, including energy and communications, could be at risk. She pointed to a "meteoric" rise in hybrid threats since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including cyber intrusions and violence carried out by local proxies.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said Berlin will soon name those responsible for the attempted attack. Moscow has denied any involvement.

In a rare public intervention, Berthon echoed Germany's interior minister in warning that both countries face daily "hybrid warfare" attempts, including interference with economic, scientific, and institutional targets. She noted such tactics could be used to disrupt elections, with France set to hold a presidential vote next year.

Separately, the head of France's armed forces, General Fabien Mandon, repeated warnings that the country is falling behind in drone development and counter-drone defences. He noted that hundreds of drones are launched nightly in the Ukraine conflict, highlighting the scale of the challenge. "We have a model for defence that performs extremely well against what we knew," he said. "Now we have enemies that have developed cheap solutions in large quantities. We are not there."

Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, said France's defence industry was ready to meet the challenge of re-arming.