Germany will provide Belgium with counter-drone defense systems in response to a surge in unidentified drone sightings near Belgian military installations, the German Defense Ministry announced November 7.
In a statement, the ministry said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Chief of Defense Carsten Breuer agreed to assist Belgium with C-sUAS after receiving a formal request from Brussels.
According to the announcement, the Bundeswehr have taken immediate steps to deliver rapid support, deploying an advance Air Force unit to Belgium to assess the situation and coordinate defense operations with the Belgian Armed Forces. The main unit will follow shortly, the ministry added, describing the deployment as a demonstration of close security cooperation within Europe and a unified response to hybrid threats.
Drone activity across Belgium has increased in recent weeks, prompting national security alerts. Following several incidents, the Belgian National Security Council authorized police and military personnel to neutralize suspicious drones when necessary.
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken confirmed that Belgium is accelerating efforts to strengthen its anti-drone defenses:
“I will present our concrete plan to the Council of Ministers today and tomorrow. We are working closely with the Defense Ministry and our international partners. Many of our NATO allies and good neighbors are offering to help,” he said.
Francken previously announced a €50 million ($57.7 million) program to boost drone detection and neutralization capabilities as part of an emergency security package, following multiple drone sightings above military sites including Kleine Brogel Air Base, used for both Belgian and NATO operations.
Reports of drone incursions have also emerged near the Elsenborn Military Training Camp, the King Albert military camp in Marche-en-Famenne and Brussels Airport, where flights were temporarily halted on November 4 due to security concerns.
The German Defense Ministry said its support to Belgium highlights the importance of European defense collaboration amid growing drone-related security challenges across the continent.
관련 콘텐츠: Belgium investigates suspected espionage drones over military bases
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