Cliff Notes – Drone sightings at Kleine Brogel airbase
- Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken confirmed unsuccessful use of a jammer against larger drones flying at higher altitudes over NATO’s Kleine Brogel airbase.
- Authorities reported a police and helicopter pursuit of the drones yielded no results; further investigation is planned following previous sightings at other airports.
Drone sightings at Kleine Brogel airbase
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said Sunday that a jammer was unsuccessfully used during the overnight drone sightings over Belgium’s Kleine Brogel airbase, which is used by NATO forces.
“Last night, we received 3 reports of drones above Kleine Brogel, of a larger type and flying at higher altitude,” Francken wrote on X. “It was not a simple overflight, but a clear command targeting Kleine Brogel. A drone jammer was used, but without success.
“A helicopter and police vehicles pursued the drone, but lost it after several kilometres,” he added.
NATO countries on alert
Drones have been spotted over the base before.
Francken said on Saturday that he would meet police next week to assess the threat and take the necessary steps to find and arrest the drone pilots.
A spokesperson for Francken’s office told Reuters news agency police were investigating the incident. Government ministers will discuss the sightings this week.
NATO countries have been on high alert in recent weeks after drones were spotted near airports in Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich and across the Baltic region.
In addition, some 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace in September.
Citing police sources, the Belgian news agency Belga reported that a drone was also seen over Antwerp Airport on Saturday.
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