5 to 10 drones over the Falkil airbase: "One of the most sensitive sites"
Groups of unidentified drones flew over Volkel Air Base on Friday evening, causing a major security alert after the forces failed to shoot them down. Interim Defense Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf confirmed the incident.
According to the minister, between five and ten drones appeared over the base between seven and nine in the evening. Air Force personnel used ground weapons in an attempt to shoot them down, but all attempts failed before the drones disappeared without being found.
Robin Brekelmans said he could not disclose the type of weapons used, but emphasized the importance of rapid intervention, noting that Volkel hosts F-35 fighters capable of carrying out nuclear missions, making it one of the most sensitive military sites in the Netherlands.
He added that the rules already allow for the downing of any drone that flies for a long time over sensitive sites like Fleckbeis Valkil, but the drones did not stay long, and the darkness and poor visibility made it difficult to accurately identify their type.
The Ministry of Defense refused to provide additional details to avoid revealing the country's capabilities to adversaries. Robin Brakelmans also clarified that the Netherlands is considering blocking some military sites on platforms like Google Maps, with the aim of enhancing security without sacrificing the necessary transparency.