Belgium Investigates Drone Sightings Near U.S. Nuclear Base

Belgium’s Defence Minister, Theo Francken, announced on Monday that recent drone flights detected near the Kleine Brogel air base may indicate a potential spying operation. The military base, located in northeast Belgium, is known to house U.S. nuclear weapons, raising significant concerns about national security.

Over the weekend, unidentified drones were spotted in two distinct phases. The first phase involved small drones allegedly testing radio frequencies used by Belgian security services. Subsequently, larger drones appeared, which Francken described as an attempt to “destabilize the area and people.” Speaking to public broadcaster RTBF, he stated, “It resembles a spy operation. By whom, I don’t know. I have a few ideas but I’m going to be careful” about making assumptions.

This incident follows a previous report last month of drones flying over another Belgian military base near the German border, where the operators remained unidentified. Concerns about drone operations have been heightened across Europe, particularly as Russia has been implicated in several airspace violations in neighbouring countries like Estonia and Poland.

The situation has also drawn attention due to recent drone activity in Germany and Denmark, where the origins of several flights remain unclear. Notably, a drone sighting at Berlin’s Brandenburg airport on Friday led to a suspension of flights for nearly two hours, further underlining the issue of airspace security in Europe.

Francken dismissed the possibility that the weekend’s drone activity was merely a prank. He explained, “The security services’ jammer didn’t work because they tested our radio frequency, and they changed frequency. They have their own frequencies. An amateur doesn’t know how to do that.”

When questioned about the inability to shoot down the drones, Francken elaborated, “When they’re over a military base we can shoot the drones down. When it’s nearby, we have to be very careful because they can fall on a house, a car, a person. That’s completely different.” The legal implications of such actions are also under consideration, as Francken noted, “It’s not entirely clear. We have to clarify the legal grounds.”

Expressing frustration at the ongoing threat posed by these drone flights, Francken remarked, “We should have bought air defence systems five or 10 years ago” to better manage such risks. The call for enhanced air defence capabilities highlights a growing concern among Belgian officials regarding the adequacy of current measures to protect national security.

As investigations continue into the identity of those behind the drone flights, the Belgian government faces pressure to address these emerging threats and bolster its defensive capabilities. With regional tensions escalating, the implications of these incidents may extend beyond national borders, highlighting a critical need for coordinated security measures across Europe.