Overview
- Defense Minister Theo Francken said several drones were detected over the Kleine-Brogel Air Base on the night of Oct. 31 and the incident is under investigation.
- A helicopter and police vehicles tried to track the aircraft but did not stop them, and a drone jammer failed to intercept, according to Francken.
- A detection system at the base captured images of the unidentified drones, the case was reported to military intelligence, and police are investigating.
- Francken said an interdepartmental working group will review a €50 million counter‑UAS plan on Tuesday, with a presentation to the Council of Ministers on Friday, and the ministry will meet local police to pursue the pilots.
- Authorities note it is illegal to fly drones over military areas in Belgium; Kleine-Brogel is widely reported to host U.S. nuclear weapons and is set to base F‑35s from 2027, with the sightings occurring during a broader European surge that has not been publicly attributed.