Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Belgium Orders Shoot-Down of Unidentified Drones Over Bases After Suspected Spying at Kleine Brogel

The move follows surveillance-style flights over the sensitive air base where a jammer failed to stop the drones.

Overview

  • Chief of the General Staff Frédéric Vansina said troops have orders to down unidentified drones over military bases when it can be done safely without collateral damage.
  • Defence Minister Theo Francken said multiple large drones loitered over Kleine Brogel over the weekend to observe F-16s, munitions and other strategic assets.
  • Authorities reported that a deployed jammer did not work, a police helicopter and vehicles pursued one drone for several kilometres and lost it, and photos of the drones were taken.
  • Francken described two phases of incursions with small drones testing security radio frequencies followed by larger systems intended to destabilize the area.
  • Belgium has opened investigations, alerted military intelligence, planned meetings with police, and prepared a €50 million counter‑drone package as similar unexplained incursions continue across Europe without confirmed attribution.