The sighting of drones over Europe raises security concerns, Dutch ministers warn.
Reports of drones being spotted over a military site in Belgium have raised new security concerns across Europe. Dutch acting Defense Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf (VVD) stated that this sighting falls within a "worrying pattern" that has been ongoing for some time. He refrained from making further speculations, clarifying that Belgian authorities are still investigating the party responsible for the incident. Earlier, fingers were pointed at Russia for disrupting drone flights in Denmark.
When asked whether there is a need for further measures to secure Dutch airspace, Briklemans was cautious. He confirmed that "many types of drones" are constantly flying in the air for legitimate reasons. He emphasized that unsubstantiated activity does not automatically mean there is a military threat or an outbreak of armed conflict that requires defense intervention.
Foreign Minister David van Vliet reiterated the warning but called for greater vigilance. He explained that drones are widely available and can easily be used for disruptive activities. He pointed to the NATO summit hosted in The Hague last June, where Dutch authorities had already considered the possibility of drone threats in their security plans.
On his part, Infrastructure Minister Robert Teimann (BBB) stated that the increasing use of drones for civilian purposes will make Dutch airspace more crowded in the coming years, necessitating stricter rules. He emphasized the need to clearly distinguish between harmless drones and those that may pose a security risk.
The concerns were not limited to the Netherlands only. In Germany, Munich Airport was temporarily closed after several reports of drones, leading to the cancellation of 17 flights and the diversion of 15 others. Meanwhile, the Swiss army reinforced its defenses by purchasing systems specifically designed to counter small and precise drones.