Repeated Drone Incursions at Kleine-Brogel Air Base
For the third time this weekend, unidentified drones have been spotted flying over Belgium's Kleine-Brogel Air Base, a critical NATO facility that hosts F-16 fighter jets and is rumored to store US nuclear weapons. The latest incident occurred around 7:00 PM on Sunday evening, when base personnel detected multiple drones in the vicinity of the strategic military installation.
Failed Pursuit and Escalating Concerns
Belgian authorities immediately launched a pursuit operation involving police vehicles and a helicopter, but the drones managed to escape by flying northward toward the Netherlands before disappearing. 'Net als gisteren vlogen de drones noordwaarts, richting Nederland, daarna zijn ze verdwenen,' said Steven Matheï, mayor of Peer municipality where the base is located.
This marks the third consecutive drone sighting over the weekend at the same location, following similar incidents on Friday and Saturday nights. Defense Minister Theo Francken has been vocal about the seriousness of these events, stating that the drones appear to be conducting deliberate surveillance missions rather than accidental civilian flights.
Clear Surveillance Mission Suspected
'Als je kijkt hoe die drones vliegen, waar ze specifiek langsvliegen en hoe lang ze boven bepaalde infrastructuur blijven cirkelen, dat is niet Willy of Dennis die per ongeluk zijn drone heeft bovengehaald,' Francken emphasized in his assessment of the situation.
According to CNN reports, the drones were described as larger types flying at higher altitudes, with one remaining over the airbase for an extended period to observe F-16 fighter jets, munitions, and other strategic equipment. The base is home to Belgium's 10th Tactical Wing and, under NATO's nuclear sharing arrangement, reportedly hosts US nuclear weapons managed by the 701st Munitions Support Squadron.
Broader European Security Context
These incidents occur against a backdrop of increasing drone activity across European airspace. Recent weeks have seen similar drone sightings near airports in Copenhagen, Berlin, and Munich, as well as multiple incidents in the Baltic region. In September, approximately 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, heightening security concerns throughout NATO member states.
Deutsche Welle reports that Belgian authorities attempted to use drone jammers during the pursuit but were unsuccessful in disabling the unidentified aircraft. The repeated nature of these incursions suggests a coordinated effort to gather intelligence on NATO military assets.
Government Response and Countermeasures
Defense Minister Francken has announced plans for significant investments in anti-drone technology, with a €50 million package expected to be presented to the cabinet next week. The funding would cover immediate procurement of detection systems, jammers, and anti-drone guns to protect critical infrastructure.
Belgium has also recently established its first permanent national counter-drone testing centre through a partnership between SkeyDrone and DronePort Sint-Truiden, as reported by Aviation24. This facility will serve as a hub for developing and validating counter-drone solutions for both defense and civilian authorities.
The Belgian Council of Ministers is expected to review enhanced counter-drone measures this Friday, focusing on improved surveillance systems and international coordination. As European nations remain on high alert, the repeated drone incidents at Kleine-Brogel highlight the growing challenge of protecting sensitive military installations from unauthorized aerial surveillance.