Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Belgium Probes Coordinated Drone Incursions as New Sightings Disrupt Liège Flights

Belgium is treating the incursions as a state-linked probe, with a new air security center slated to be fully operational by January 1.

Overview

  • Liège airport suspended operations multiple times from Thursday night into Friday morning due to drone sightings before resuming normal service.
  • Brussels airport canceled dozens of flights on Wednesday following Tuesday night incursions that triggered temporary closures.
  • Security briefings describe dozens of drones, including larger models, flying in formation over six military bases—among them Kleine-Brogel—after launching from and returning to the North Sea.
  • Defense Minister Theo Francken said electronic warfare measures and helicopter pursuits failed to neutralize the drones, describing the activity as professional and beyond hobbyist capability.
  • Authorities have made no formal attribution, though officials and media point to a state actor with suspicion directed at Russia, citing tension over frozen assets at Euroclear and recent cyberattacks on Belgian telecoms and hospitals.