Overview
- The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee confirmed a drone was seen above the control tower at Gilze‑Rijen on November 6, but an on‑site search found no device.
- The Defence Ministry emailed residents near airbases to report sightings and reiterated that flying drones around military installations is strictly prohibited.
- Reports of drones near airports and military sites have increased across Europe, including recent disruptions in Belgium and a sighting in Gothenburg.
- Belgian officials suspect Russian involvement, though defense experts stress there is no smoking gun and attribution remains unproven.
- Analysts say the likely aims are intelligence collection and psychological disruption, as detection and counter‑drone gaps persist and the Netherlands notes no dangerous incidents so far.