Euronews
• Gavin Blackburn, Lutz Faupel
German investigators reportedly found a third drone and suspected explosives at an additional location near Leipzig/Halle Airport, more than a week after two other UAVs were involved in incidents. The airport handles military shipments for Germany and NATO allies and hosts Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
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Romania recorded 25 unauthorized drone incursions by Aug. 25—nearly three times its total for 2025—while air-policing launches more than doubled. The country scrambled fighter aircraft twice in a single day, underscoring the growing operational burden posed by drone activity near its airspace.
Exercise Baltic Trust 2026 in Latvia demonstrated how NATO forces can connect incompatible counter-UAS systems into a shared operational picture and conduct a live intercept. Separately, the Royal Netherlands Navy launched a concept-development program with Destinus to integrate Hornet B2 interceptor drones with warships.
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German investigators reportedly found a third drone and suspected explosives at an additional location near Leipzig/Halle Airport, more than a week after two other UAVs were involved in incidents. The airport handles military shipments for Germany and NATO allies and hosts Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines.
L2 Aviation and UK-based Gotonomi are partnering to provide reliable communications for UAVs and advanced air mobility aircraft operating beyond terrestrial network coverage. The agreement combines L2’s integration and certification expertise with Gotonomi’s compact satellite communications technology for remote and connectivity-constrained operations.
The U.S. has approved a potential sale of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System rockets to Italy, a deal intended to bolster the Italian Air Force’s ability to counter drones. The notification adds an air-launched precision weapon to Italy’s evolving response to the growing unmanned threat.
The Navy unveiled RTX’s AIM-424 Malice, a long-range air-to-air missile reported to exceed 250 nautical miles, while a B-2 demonstrated a precision-guided air-launched anti-ship weapon and unmanned boats surveyed and engaged targets. The service is also seeking a new air-launched torpedo for submarine warfare.
A Russian Molniya drone reportedly navigated and selected its target entirely through artificial intelligence in a strike that killed three civilians in Ukraine. The reported use of autonomous targeting in an active conflict raises significant questions about drone development, operational control and civilian protection.
The Italian Air Force is considering acquiring U.S. technology that would transform low-cost, unguided missiles into precision weapons for countering drones. The concept could give Italy a more affordable interceptor option, while opening a potential U.S.-Italian defense technology and procurement discussion.
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