Drones spotted over military base in Belgium for second time in 24 hours
Editor's note: This item has been update to reflect the second drone sighting overnight on Nov. 1.
A drone was spotted over the Kleine Brogel Air Base in Belgium late on Nov. 1 for the second time in less than 24 hours, local media outlets reported.
The sighting comes just one day after several drone were spotted over the same air base on Oct. 31, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken announced on Nov. 1.
Following the second incident, a police helicopter gave chase but was unsuccessful in intercepting the drone, Belgian outlet VTM Nieuws reported.
While officially unconfirmed, the air base is widely believed to be the host to U.S. nuclear weapons under NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements. The base is also set to serve as the home to F-35 fighter jets beginning in 2027, Belga News Agency reported.
The incident comes amid a surge in mysterious drone sightings across European countries, raising fears of Russian involvement in hybrid warfare and renewed concern about the alliance's security.
On Oct. 17, allied forces shot down two drones of unknown origin after they were spotted near a military base in southern Estonia.
Franchen said that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, adding that images of the drones were captured in flight.
No details on the specifics of the incident were released. The type of drone involved remains unclear.
Franchen did not say whether the incident is connected to recent drone sightings across Europe, which have raised security concerns and prompted suspicions of a possible Russian involvement.
The unexplained drone sightings were preceded by Russian aircraft and drones violating NATO airspace on several occasions.
Polish forces shot down several Russian drones that entered their airspace during an attack on Ukraine in early September. Days later, a Russian drone breached Romanian territory, though Bucharest chose not to engage it. The incidents prompted calls for a more forceful response to such incursions, including downing Russian aircraft and drones if necessary.
Report of drone sightings at airport have intensified in recent months leading to air traffic disruptions in France, Czechia, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, and Denmark, among other European countries.
Late on Oct. 31, Berlin's Brandenburg Airport was temporarily forced to divert flights after a reported suspicious drone sighting.
Tania Myronyshena
