The base is crucial to Belgium’s defense and hosts an American presence. It currently houses U.S.-made nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets and will also accommodate F-35s.
This weekend’s incident is one among many in Belgium and other parts of Europe recently. In recent weeks, Russian drones were intercepted and shot down over Poland. Another Russian drone was tracked over Romania, while drones of unknown origin, likely Russian, caused disruptions in air traffic at airports in Denmark, Norway, and Germany.
Francken refrained from directly blaming Moscow for the latest drone incursions in Belgium, but he implied there are few other likely suspects. “The Russians are attempting this in all European countries,” he told RTBF. “Is it the Russians now? I can’t say that, but the motives and methods are clear,” he stated.
“War has become a drone war, and the Defense Department must prepare for that,” Francken added.
The Belgian defense minister is expected to present a €50 million plan next week for deploying a national counter-drone system. Speaking on Radio 1, he previously mentioned that the package will finance detection systems, jammers, and drone guns to secure key installations.
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