Three Drones Spotted Flying Over Belgian Airbase
(MENAFN) Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken confirmed on Sunday that three drones were detected over the Kleine Brogel airbase overnight, describing the incident as a “deliberate operation” aimed at the military facility.
“Last night, three reports were made of drones over Kleine Brogel — larger types flying at higher altitude. This was not an ordinary overflight, but a deliberate operation with Kleine Brogel as its target,” Francken said on US social media company X.
Francken noted that a drone gun jammer had been deployed but “proved ineffective (possibly due to distance or radio frequency issues).” Police helicopters and patrol units attempted to intercept one of the drones but lost contact after it traveled several kilometers north. “The police and military intelligence (ADIV) are investigating,” he added.
He also expressed gratitude toward security personnel and law enforcement, saying they were “alert and swift” in responding to the threat, and emphasized that vigilance would increase “with the aim of apprehending the drone operators.”
Earlier reports by a Flemish broadcaster indicated that drones had also been observed in recent days over the Marche-en-Famenne military base in Wallonia, Belgium’s French-speaking region.
The incident comes amid a broader trend of drone sightings over European military sites in recent months. In Belgium, similar episodes occurred earlier this month at the Elsenborn base in the High Fens near the German border.
Speaking to media, Francken directly referenced Russia as a potential actor. “We are looking at state actors, and the state actor that poses the greatest threat at the moment is, of course, Russia, because of the war in Ukraine,” he said Thursday. Russia has repeatedly denied involvement in these incidents.
Francken also announced plans to present a €50 million ($58 million) investment package for new anti-drone systems to the Cabinet next week, while advocating for longer-term spending of €500 million to strengthen Belgium’s defenses against such threats.
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