Belgian authorities have launched an investigation after multiple drones were spotted flying over military bases during the weekend in what Defense Minister Theo Francken described as apparent attempts to gather intelligence on fighter jets and ammunition depots.
“They come to spy, to see where the F-16s are, where the ammunition are, and other highly strategic information,” Francken told Belgian broadcaster RTBF on Sunday.
The incidents reportedly took place above the Kleine Brogel Air Base in northern Belgium, a key defense site that hosts U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets and serves as a location for Belgium’s future F-35 fleet. The base also includes a U.S. military presence and is believed to play a role in NATO’s nuclear-sharing arrangements.
Francken stopped short of directly blaming Russia for the incursions but suggested the pattern of drone activity across Europe points to a coordinated effort:
“The Russians are trying to do this in all European countries,” he said. “Is it the Russians now? I can’t say that, but the motives are clear and the ways of doing things like this are also very clear.”
The weekend incident follows a recent surge in unidentified drone activity across Europe. In recent weeks, Russian drones were intercepted over Poland, while others were tracked above Romania, and drone sightings temporarily disrupted air traffic in Denmark, Norway and Germany.
Francken described the latest events as further proof that “war is truly a drone war,” emphasizing the need to strengthen Belgium’s airspace defenses.
The defense minister is expected to present a €50 million national counter-drone plan next week, aimed at deploying detection systems, jammers and handheld drone guns to protect critical sites across the country.
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Post Image Credit: Belga News Agency
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