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Dutch Forces Fire on Unidentified Drones Over Volkel Air Base

An inquiry by military and civil police is underway, with technical details withheld for security.

Overview

  • The Ministry of Defence said personnel observed several drones over Volkel between 19:00 and 21:00 local time on November 21.
  • Ground-based weapons were used in an effort to neutralize the aircraft, which departed the area and were not recovered.
  • Investigators have not determined the drones’ origin, purpose, or ownership.
  • Officials declined to disclose detection methods or countermeasures and reiterated that drone flights near aerodromes are prohibited for flight-safety reasons.
  • Authorities have logged similar recent sightings near Gilze-Rijen Air Base and the port of Vlissingen without resulting criminal cases, and an expert noted that radar identification of small drones is difficult.