The UK’s new military chief announced on Sunday that London is deploying a drone defence team to Belgium, which saw unprecedented drone incursions over airports and military sites last week.
The sightings in Belgium are the latest in a wave of drone sightings in European skies, sparking renewed debate over Europe’s ability to defend itself against emergency security threats.
In response, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken pitched an emergency €50 million heavy drone defence plan and asked for assistance from Belgium’s neighbours.
The UK will help Belgium “by providing our kit and capability” which is already in the process of being deployed, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said in a BBC interview.
Belgium has asked for help “to track and potentially defeat the drones,” he said later on Sky News, without specifying the type of equipment deployed or the numbers of personnel involved.
The UK, following France and Germany, is the third country to publicly pledge support by sending an anti-drone team.
Over the past week, Brussels – home to EU institutions and the Western NATO military alliance – has seen its airport shut three times.
But drones have also been spotted over military sites, including where nuclear bombers and F-35 fighter jets are stationed.
While the origin of the drones remains unclear, the Belgian defence minister on Saturday said that Russia is a “plausible suspect” though security services are investigating all possibilities.
(vib)
