BRUSSELS: Belgium’s Defense Minister has accused unidentified drones spotted over a key airbase of conducting surveillance operations on the country’s military aircraft and sensitive installations.
Speaking on Sunday, Defense Minister Theo Francken said several drones detected above the Kleine-Brogel Air Base in the municipality of Peer were clearly spying, noting that one hovered over the facility for an unusually long period.
They come to spy, to see where the F-16s are, where the munitions are, and other highly strategic things, Francken told Belgian broadcaster RTBF.
The airbase, which houses Belgium’s largest defense unit, is a critical component of NATO’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
Local media have long speculated that U.S. nuclear weapons are stored at the site, though officials have neither confirmed nor denied the claims.
Francken revealed that three drone sightings were reported on Saturday night, describing the devices as larger types flying at high altitudes.
A drone jammer was used, but without success, he added. A helicopter and police vehicles pursued the drone but lost it after several kilometers.”
The incidents come amid heightened vigilance across Europe following a string of drone and aircraft incursions into NATO airspace.
Lithuania recently closed its border with Belarus, citing constant violations of its airspace, while Belgium also reported similar drone activity near its Elsenborn military base last month.
Although Francken declined to directly blame Russia, he suggested the motive was part of a broader pattern of espionage attempts across Europe. Is it the Russians now? I cannot say that, but the motives are clear, he said.
Kleine-Brogel is currently home to F-16 fighter jets, which are expected to be replaced by F-35 aircraft in the coming years.
Investigations into the latest incidents are ongoing, with Belgian defense and law enforcement authorities coordinating efforts to identify the source of the drones and enhance the base’s aerial security systems.
