Urgent: Belgium’s Defence Minister Warns of Drone Spying Near Base

UPDATE: Belgium’s Defence Minister Theo Francken has raised urgent alarms following a series of unidentified drone flights near the Kleine Brogel air base, where U.S. nuclear weapons are stored. The incidents, which occurred over the weekend, are suspected to be part of a sophisticated spying operation.

On the nights of Saturday and Sunday, drones were detected in two distinct phases. Initially, smaller drones were deployed to “test the radio frequencies” of Belgian security services, followed by larger drones intended to “destabilize the area and people,” Francken reported to public broadcaster RTBF.

“This resembles a spy operation,” Francken stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. While he withheld specific details about potential suspects, he indicated that the operators displayed advanced knowledge of drone technology. “An amateur doesn’t know how to do that,” he noted, referencing the drones’ ability to evade security measures.

This alarming development follows a pattern of drone sightings at military installations across Europe. Just last month, drones were spotted over another Belgian military base near the German border, with operators remaining unidentified. The increase in these incidents has drawn scrutiny, especially as Russia has been implicated in various airspace violations in neighboring countries like Estonia and Poland.

Francken clarified that the security services’ countermeasures, including a “jammer,” failed to neutralize the drones, which adapted to the frequencies used by Belgian authorities. He explained the challenges in responding to such threats, stating, “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 shooting down these drones add another layer of complexity. Francken admitted that the situation is murky, saying, “We have to clarify the legal grounds.” He expressed frustration over Belgium’s current defense capabilities, lamenting, “We should have bought air defense systems five or 10 years ago” to effectively handle drone threats.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging vigilance among the public and military personnel. With the potential for these drone flights to escalate, readers should stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

This latest incident underscores the pressing need for enhanced security measures and advanced technology to protect critical military assets, especially in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions in Europe.